Joannes Nevius ca (Feb 1627 – Jun 1672)

Joannes Nevius was born at Zoelan in the province of Gelderland, Holland. He was baptized at Zoelan on 14 Mar 1627 (163, Page 44). His father was Johannes Nevius, a minister, and his mother was Maria Becx (163, Page 44). Maria Becx was a daughter of Peter Becx, and at the time of her marriage, was living in Cologne, where her father was a “citizen and merchant.” On 1 Jan 1634, Reverend Johannes Nevius was called to Venlo, Limburg on the outskirts of the Netherlands and about 50 miles southeast of Zoelen (163, Page 45). At the time, Joannes Nevius was about seven years old.

Joannes Nevius likely studied at the University of Leyden (163, Page 43). Joannes and Matthias Neeff, both of Zoelen and likely brothers, were students at Leyden and at the University of Utrecht during the period 1640–1650. Joannes Nevius emigrated to New Amsterdam in about 1651 (163, Page 59). He almost certainly sailed from Amsterdam.

On 3 Mar 1652, Johannes Nevius, Gerard Beeckman, Arent Van Curlaer, and Ann en Geertruijd Bondassius witnessed the baptism of Willem Beeckman-Hendirck in the Dutch church within the Fort at Manhattoes (163, Page 68). On 13 Mar 1654, Joannes Nevius was assessed 100 guilders for the construction of a wall around the city of New Amsterdam (163, Page 70). On 1 Sep 1653, Joannes Nevius and Cornelis Steenwyck were appointed arbitrators in a suite for wages by Francois Rombouts and Jan Visser against Adrian Blommaert (163, Page 71).

On about 18 Nov 1653, Johannes Nevius and Ariaentje Bleijck, of Batavia in the East Indies, married at Manhattoes in New Amsterdam (163, Page 72). At their marriage, Joannes Nevius was about 26 years old, and Ariaentje Bleijck was about 17. A son, Johannes Nevius was born to Johannes and Ariæntje on about 8 Nov 1654 and baptized on that date (163, Page 85).

Joannes Nevius acquired land at Manhattoes in New Amsterdam prior to 20 Mar 1655. A deed by Cornelius Groesens to Lubbertus van Dincklagen for “land on the east side of the Great Highway between the lot of Johannes Nevius on the south side and Sybout Clasen on the north side … through which the city wall is at present built … per ground brief to Groesens” was dated 10 Jan 1655 (163, Page 85). A second deed made on 27 Mar 1656 by Jacob Steendam to Leendart was for “land on the east side of the Great Highway, south of the house and lot of Johannes Nevius, north of the land of Harmen Smeeman …” (163, Page 85).

By 1 Sep 1653, Joannes was serving as an arbitrator in a case of Francois Rombouts and Jan Visser versus Adriaeu Blommaert (163, Page 85). On 30 Nov 1654, Joannes was named a defendant in a law suit against his father-in-law, Cornelis de Potter (163, Page 85). Cornelis de Potter was abroad in Holland or the East Indies, and Joannes served as his attorney-in-fact.

A first child, Johannes Nevius, was born to Joannes Nevius and Adriaentje (Bleijck) Nevius at Manhattoes in New Amsterdam prior to his baptism on 8 Nov 1654 (163, Page 142).

On 8 Dec 1654, Joannes Nevius was appointed a Schepen of Manhattoes, New Amsterdam to fill a vacancy caused by the murder of Jochem Pietersen Kuyter (163, Page 86). His first meeting as Schepen took place on 14 Dec 1654. Before 18 Jan 1655, Joannes was appointed as a Deacon of the Dutch Church (163, Page 92).

In 1655, Joannes Nevius paid 50 Guilders in tax to defray the debt accrued in building a city wall and fortifications (985, Page 95). On 31 Jan 1655, Joannes Nevius was reelected a Schepen of Manhattoes (163, Page 89). He renewed his oath of office on 8 Feb 1655. On 2 Mar 1655, Joannes Nevius purchased a house in Manhattoes facing the water front (163, Page 92). Joannes and his family likely lived there through the year 1657.

Before 27 Aug 1656, a second child was born to Joannes Nevius and Adriaentje (Bleijck) Nevius (163, Page 143). Sara Nevius was baptized on 27 Aug 1656 at Manhattoes, New Amsterdam. Adriaen Blommaerts and Sara Roelofs witnessed the baptism. A third child, Cornelis Nevius, was born to Joannes and Adriaentje Nevius before 2 Sep 1657, when he was baptized in the New Amsterdam Dutch Church (163, Page 105).

In Oct 1657, Joannes Nevius was sworn as Secretary of the City of Manhattoes (163, Page 104). After Jan 1658, the Joannes Nevius family resided in the Stadt Huisat within the Fort in Manhattoes. In addition to being named Secretary, Joannes was also appointed a Vendue Master and probably conducted all public sales, including houses and lots.

On 22 Jul 1658, Joannes Nevius sold his house and lot on Pearl street to Cornelius Steenwyck, a Schepen (163, Page 112). The deed specified that the house was purchased on 2 Mar 1655.

A fourth child of Joannes and Adriaentje Nevius, a daughter Marie Nevius, was baptized on 22 Dec 1658 (163, Page 112). A fifth child, a son Cornelis Nevius, was baptized on 19 Jan 1661 (163, Page 115). Presumably, Cornelis Nevius who was baptized on 2 Sep 1657, died before the birth and baptism of Cornelis Nevius in Jan 1661. A son Pieter Nevius was born to Joannes and Adriaentje Nevius before his baptism on 4 Feb 1663 (163, Page 117).

On 6 Sep 1664, England seized control of New Amsterdam. Joannes Nevius continued to hold his position as Secretary under the new government.

The oldest child of Joannes and Adriaentje Nevius, Johannes Nevius, died before 1665 (163, Page 122). A daughter, Sara Catarina Nevius, was baptized on 16 Feb 1665 (163, Page 122). Presumably, Sara Nevius, born on about 27 Aug 1656, died before 16 Feb 1665.

On 27 Jun 1665, Joannes Nevius requested his dismissal as Secretary. Lacking skill in the English language, Joannes found his role under English rule difficult and was hard pressed financially (163, Page 124). After leaving City Hall, Joannes likely took residence on High Street (985, Page 104). A daughter, Johanna Nevius, was born at New York City, New York before she was baptized on 11 Mar 1668 (163, Page 129). Wilhelmus a Braeckel and Swaentje de Potter witnessed the baptism.

In about 1670, Joannes Nevius acquired a lease to the Ferry on Long Island, including a house and tavern (163, Page 130). Joannes and his family were in charge of The Ferry between that point and New York. The location on Long Island was known as The Ferry from early days because it was where most travel to New York across the East River commenced.

Joannes Nevius died in May or Jun 1672 (163, Page 134).