"Founder of the Family: Hendrick Jochemsz, baptized November 29, 1624 ? in Hamburg, died about 1682; married 1653, Elsie Janse, daughter of Jan Jansen Van Breesteede and Engeltje Janse, and widow of Adrian Pietersen Van Alemaer whom she married in New York City, May 17, 1643. Whether he was originally of Dutch or German origin has been a matter of sometimes heated disagreement. It has been pointed out that the surname is definitely the Dutch form rather than the German 'Schumacher.' However, like many of this class of trade-names, it was not generally employed as a surname until two or three of the family had lived and died in this country among the Dutch. Col. Abraham Hasbrouck in his 'Family Record' says: 'Hendrick Jochemsz, was a native or Hamburgh, a Hans-town in Germany and was one of the first settlers or planters in this country. He entered the Dutch service and came over to America in the Dutch times or Dutch government of the New Netherlands, now called New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New Castle.' An attempt to check the archives of the city of Hamburg elicited the follow'ing response: 'Your ancestor Hendrick Jochemsen Schoonmaker is probably identical with Hein Schomaker, who was christened November 29, 1624 at St. Petri, son of Jochim Schomaker.' This is anything but conclusive, but further investigation of the point is not practicable. The first record of our ancestor in this country is found in 'The Minutes of the Court of Fort Orange and Beverwyck 1652-1656' as translated by A.J.F. VanLaer. In the session of April 29, 1653 is noted: 'The garden heretofore provisionally given to Dirrick Bensingh next to Ariaen from Alckmaer was decided to give to Hendrick Jochemsen upon condition that he, Hendrick Jochemsz, shall compensate Dirrick Bensinck for the palisades of brick, etc. Being left to the descretion of the Hon. Andries Herpertsz and the Hon. Jan Verbeeck to indicate to said Bensingh how much he is entitled to claim therefor.' Apparently Hendrick lost no time in becoming friendly with his neighbors with the result that within a few months he married Elsie Janse, widow of the aforesaid Adrian VanAlemaer. This union with the granddaughter of Anneke Janse undoubtedly helped to make him a prominent member of the community. The frequent appearance of his name on court records as defendant, as plaintiff, and also as referee, testifies to his somewhat choleric temperament, his standing among his neighbors, and probably, the extreme litigiousness of the colony as a whole. In April, 1655 he paid three florins for the 'sign' of Steven Janse Conick, innkeeper, and thereafter his inn at Fort Orange provided refreshment and relaxation to the doughty burghers. If quarrels arose over the bowling, the target-shooting, or the discussions, they were promptly settled before a court of law. If Hendrick so far forgot the proprieties as to sell liquor after hours or during the Sabbath service, he was still appointed as civil referee and as member of the court martial of the burgher guard. On June 23, 1654 when a collection was taken among the Albany merchants for a loan to Peter Stuyvesant for the fortification of Manhattan, his contribution of '100 florin in seawan' was among the first. In 1659 as 'Lieutenant in the Company of His Noble Honor the Governor General' under command of Captian Thomas Chambers, he went to Esopus to help the settlers defend themselves against the Indians. While he was there the company disbanded. Peter Stuyvesant offered the soldiers grants of land to settle there. Hendrick disposed of his properties at Rensselaerwyck and Beaverwyck and became a resident of Wiltwyck on October 24, 1661. A land tax to defray the expense of building a minister's house at Esopus was imposed November 12, 1661 at the rate of 'One Rix dollar per morgen, beaver value in good wheat, payable 1/2 down and the other half without fail next summer, and further, from the other Inhabitants who possess only lots and no lands, according to their means.' At this rate Hendrick Jochemsz was assessed 20 florins. The following year he received the first of the promised lots and opened a tavern at the mouth of the Esopus Creek. On May 30, 1662 when the burgher guard was organized under Captian Thomas Chambers, he was named Lieutenant." Following the Massacre of Wiltwyck, a military dictatorship descended upon the town. On October 10, 1663 Hendrick Jochemsz complained to the court that his home was being used as a guardhouse for the militia. On September 18, 1663 he was among 26 fined for being out in the fields without permission and a convoy. On the latter occasion 'Defendant admits he was at the bridge as a sentry as he with others present had to repair the bridge, but being unable to work because of a lame hand, therefore stood sentry for the repairers.' (Dutch Records of Kingston) Such high-handed treatment of the citizenry culminated in the 'Esopus Meeting of 1667.' This demonstration against the English conquerors of New Netherlands had been precipitated by the arrest and imprisonment of Cornelis Barentsen Sleght, schepen, brewer, and good friend of the innkeeper. Again Hendrick Jochemsz played a leading role. Four times between 1666 and 1671 he served on the board of magistrates as 'schepen.' The irreverent Diedrich Knickerbocker defined this august assembly as follows: 'This potent body consisted of a schout or bailiff, with powers between those of the present mayor and sheriff... five burgermeesters, who were equivalent to aldermen, and five schepens, who officiated as scrubs, subdevils or bottleholders to the burgermeesters... it being their duty to fill the pipes of the lordly burgermeestors... hunt the market for delicacies for corporation dinners, and to discharge such other little offices of kindness as were occasionally required. In return for these humble services, they were permitted to say yes and no at the council board, and to have the enviable privilege, the run of the public kitchen.' However, it is evident that Hendrick Jochemsz was a leading spirit of the new colony and that he transmitted the energetic temperament to his descendants. After his death in 1682, his widow married September 26, 1684 Cornelis Barentsen Sleght, her husband's old friend, and her eldest son's father-in-law." (Ruth and William Heidgerd, Schoonmakers in the Hudson Valley; 1951, New Paltz, New York; pages 1-2)

Immigrant Hendrick Jochemsen Schoonmaker; Year: 1653; Place: New York. (The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany. Yearbook, volume 45, 1974-1977. Albany, New York: the society, 1977, page 54)

• Married: 1653

1. Jochim Hendricksz SCHOONMAKER b: ABT 1655 in Albany, Albany County, New York
2. Eghbert Hendricksz SCHOONMAKER b: 1658 in Albany, Albany County, New York
3. Engeltje SCHOONMAKER b: 1663 in New York
4. Volckerte SCHOONMAKER b: 1665 in New York
5. Hendrick Hendricksz SCHOONMAKER b: 1665 in New York
6. Hillitje SCHOONMAKER b: 1669 in New York

1. Title: Schoonmakers in the Hudson Valley
   Author: Ruth and William Heidgerd
   Publication: 1951, New Paltz, New York
   Repository:
   Media: Book