1624 Unity (Eendracht) - Immigrants to New Netherland

New Netherland and Beyond

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Immigrants to New Netherland

1624
In The Unity
(Eendracht)
Sailed from Amsterdam, January 25, 1623/4¹
Skipper: Adriaen Jorise Theinpont

The first WIC (West Indies Co.) ship with settlers to New Netherland,
arrived at Manhattans to take possession as follows:
Two Families and 6 Men to Hartford River
Two Families and 8 Men to Delaware River
8 Men they left at Manhattans
The rest of the passengers, about 18 families went with the ship up as far as Albany which they called Fort Orange.

Among the settlers at Fort Orange was Catelyn Trico², who gave the above information in a deposition dated October 1688, at her age of 83. She came over with 4 other women, who were married at sea. They and their husbands stayed about three weeks at this place and then they with 8 seamen more, went in a vessel by order of the Dutch Governor to the South (Delaware) River and there settled. Skipper Adrien Jorise stayed all winter and sent his son home with the ship.

Jean Monfort³ and wife Jacqueline Moreau, with children

Return Voyage
Arrived in Amsterdam August, 1624
A ship arrived in August from that part of Virginia⁴ called New Netherland, which had conveyed some families from Holland thither. This vessel brings many and various letters from private individuals, each written to friends and acquaintances, whereof this is mostly the tenor:
"We were much gratified on arriving in this country; here we found beautiful rivers, bubbling fountains flowing down into the valleys; basins of running waters in the flatlands, agreeable fruits in the woods, such as strawberries, pigeon berries, walnuts and also wild grapes. The woods abound with acorns for feeding hogs, and with venison. There is considerable fish in the rivers; good tillage land; here is, especially, free coming and going, without fear of the naked natives of the country. Had we cows, hogs, and other cattle fit for food, we would not wish to return to Holland, for whatever we desire in the paradise of Holland, is here to be found. If you will come thither with your family, you will not regret it."

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¹The double date is used to show the "old style" and "new style" dating of documents.
(See dating of documents)

²Sara Rapelje was born at Fort Orange in June, 1625, the daughter of Catelyn Trico and George (Joris) Rapalje. History of Huguenot Immigration to America, Charles W. Baird, 1885, I, p 172.
Marriage record in the Eglise Wallonne d'Amsterdam, Gemeente Archief, Amsterdam, vol. DNB 1001 p 132: "1624 espouse le 21 de janvier Joris Raporlie de Valencienne et Catherine Triko", was found by John Insley Coddington, Editor of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly. On the Trail of the Huguenots, G. Elmore Reaman, 1963, p 302.

³See 374th Anniversary of the Eendracht and Nieuw Netherland by Harry Macy, Jr., Originally published in the NYGB Newsletter, Winter 1999.

⁴ "The colony in Virginia, near the Maykens on the river Mauritius, by us called New Netherland." Documentary History of the State of New York, E. B. O'Callaghan, 1849, Vol. IV, pg 132. See also Vol III pg 38, "Historiaeh Verhael" by Nicolaes Van Wassenaer.

From the "Historiaeh Verhael" by Nicolaes Van Wassenaer 1621-1632, in
Documentary History of the State of New York, E. B. O'Callaghan,
1849, Vol. III pg 34-48. Also in Narratives of New Netherland, edited by J. F. Jameson, 1909, pg 61-90.