Notes for: Johannes Theodorus Polhemius

In response to a message on the Dutch Colonies List at Rootsweb, Dorothy Koenig (author of "New Netherlands Connections") asked, "Has documented evidence for Johannes Theodorus Polhemius' parents been found at last??!!"

In his response to Dorothy, Bob Protzman said this (I edited it some):

I had thought that the information had come from the long NYG&B article, "The Rev. Polhemius and Some of His Descendants", by I. Heyward Peck, NYG&B RECORD, Vol 90, #2, Apr 1959, p. 6 ff and subsequent issues. However, a quick trip to the library showed that this was not the source. Part of the information came from an article by Prof. David VOORHEES, in the Van Voorhees NIEUWSBRIEF, Winter/Spring 1999, p. 3 ff.

However, he states, that although the information was previously published by Louis DeBoer, he had not been able to track down the references. While the information may be true, proof is certainly lacking. Prof. Voorhees goes on to say that there appears to be a close association of the LEISLER family with the POLHEMIUS and Van VOORHEES, in NY. Again, this is POSTULATED, but NOT PROVEN.

He states, "There is also an earlier connection that unites laterVoorhees generations to Leisler. Persistent genealogical rumors hold that the mother of Long Island's first Reformed domine, former Drenthe Reformed minister Johannes Theodorus Polhemius was a sister of Leisler's grandfather. Genealogist Louis P. DeBoer wrote in the 1920s that Polhemius's mother was either Margaretta or Elizabeth (12). Unfortunately, this relationship is not confirmed. There is, however, tantalizing evidence of a Leisler-Polhemius kinship."

Ref (12) "Only de Boer's notes regarding the relationship to Polhemius have been found, but references to a Leisler typescript with sources has been lost (LDS microfilm 0899801)."

Johannes was born in 1598, most likely in Boikirchen,* Germany. He was probably born at Boikirchen, a small community that no longer exists. It was probably near the present Wolfstein in Rhenish Bavaria (NGS: 43:125). At some point, he moved to Amsterdam. Johannes may have been married twice, with a daughter from the first marriage. His daughter was baptized in Meppel in 1629. Then there is a fifteen year interval before his next child is recorded. His first wife must have died and he remarried later. He married Catharine about 1643 in Brazil. His father was Johann Theodor Polhemius.

Johannes enrolled at the University of Heidelberg on February 26, 1620 as a student of divinity as "Johannes Theodorus Polhemius, ductus Hammerstein, Boikirchensis Westriacus." After graduation, he served for a short time in the Palatinate before November 11, 1624. This is when he was designated to serve the church at Gieten, a small community near Assen in the province of Drenthe, Netherlands (in the northwest). Apparently, he was too liberal for his conservative congregation, which added to his his inexperience with the Dutch language and his Palatine dialect, made him unpopluar. He left Gieten on august 13, 1627 and had to sue the congregation for payment of his salary.

He then moved to Meppel in the same province. He served there for seven years. In 1629, he also became Rector of the Latin School receiving a stipend of 400 florins (probably per year). In an article in the Winter/Spring 2000 issue of the "Van Voorhees Nieuwsbrief" (the newsletter of the Van Voorhees Association) called "Grootkirk or Mariakerk: Our Church in Meppel" are photographs of the church pastored by Johannes Theodorus Polhemius. He was the pastor from 1627 to 1634. Meppel is in the Province of Drenthe in the Netherlands. He left Meppel on February 10, 1634. Johannes apparently returned to Palatine for a short time. He then applied on December 3, 1635 for a position in the West Indies and it was granted.

He, along with a large expedition including newly appointed governor, Count Joham Maurice of Nassau, some scientists, merchants, and soldiers sailed from Texel Harbor on October 25, 1636 and landed on the Recif of Pernambuco, Brazil on January 23, 1637. The Dutch had established colonies in Brazil in 1630 by conquering the Portuguese. The final distribution of the colonists was made in 1638. Johannes went as minister with the colony and garrison which occupied the island of Itamarca, also called Tamarca or Tamarica, adjacent to the Recif. The Dutch settlers for the island were mostly of Wesphalian and Palatine stock. It is especially stated that Johannes was selected on account of his language talent. He not only preached there, but often accompanied the Army in the field and on the mainland. We has able to preach to the Indians in their own language, preaching at various times in German, Dutch, French and Portuguese.

Johannes married Catharine Ven Der Werven about 1643, probably in Brazil. She was born about 1612. Her father was Daniel Van Der Werven. It was on Itamarca that three of his children were born. This was his home until he lost his plantation during some insurrections and was forced to return to the Recif in 1647/48.

The Dutch administrations in Brazil, which succeeded that of Gov. Maurice, were inefficient and corrupt. The Portuguese revolted and the Dutch finally capitulated January 25, 1654. They were given three months in which either to depart or to embrace the Roman Catholic religion and become Portuguese citizens. In April 1654, there was a fleet of sixteen Dutch ships in the Harbor of Recif to evacuate the Dutch Protestants together with a small number of Dutch and Portuguese Jews.

The Polhemius family was quartered separately and had to take separate ships. Catharine reached Holland safely with her four children, apparently destitute, as her husband had not received his salary for a long time. She had to request payment. This is noted in the Minutes of the Acts of the Classis. Johannes wrote to give his wife power of attorney. This was recorded on October 15, 1654, but it appears this did not help his wife to recover back wages. The Rev. Pohlemius, however, arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654 on the French Frigate, St. Charles. The Dutch ship, on which he had left Brazil, was captured by a Spanish privateer, not far from Recif. This was the same ship reported in A. Biet's "Voyage De La France," which translates, "A Spanish pirate being about March or April 1654, at Barbados, with a barque vessel captured from the Dutch near Recif, was ordered to retire from the island. But the Spanish privateer with its prize was in turn captured by a French man-of-war, the ship St. Charles." Sailing from Amsterdam on June 14, 1656.

The French, not wanting to return them all the way to the Netherlands, escorted the ship to New Amsterdam, thus making Dom. Polhemius an American immigrant, and bringing the first Jews to New Amsterdam. He was reunited with his wife and family two years later in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where he had become pastor.

There is an old Hebrew journal published in Amsterdam which contains this account, "And God cause a Savior to arise, the captain of a French ship, arrayed for battle; and he rescued them, the sons of Israel, from the hands of the outlaws, who had done violence unto them and oppressed them. And He conducted them until they had reached the end of the inhabited earth, called New Holland, and none of them were missing, praised be God." (p. 613).

At that time, there were three Dutch settlements on the western end of Long Island. These were called Midwout (later called Flatbush), Amersfoort (later called Flatlands), and Breuckelen (later called Brooklyn). Since there were no churches or clergy in these places, the people went to church in New Amsterdam. Rev. Polhemius's unexpected arrival appeared to be an answer from the Classis for a minister; although, this wad not been officially the case. Midwout and Amersfoort wanted him to remain and they erected some kind of church building and dwelling for their new minister. Jahannes then sent for his family. There are records that show that the house was inadequate for the weather. It was difficult to get it constructed as some of the "planks" were taken by others. He also had a problem getting his salary on a regular basis. Too, there was some discontent and criticism about the amount of time he spent with his congregations. He, or someone else, later wrote a letter to the Classis in Amsterdam revealing that, "Despite all the inconvenience and hardships which Domine Polhemus had undergone in attempting to secure his just dues, the fact that he did not hold his ecclesiastical superiors responsible, nor harbored any ill will toward any of his detractors..."

In the fall of 1659, the church at Midwout was about finished. It took nearly two hours to walk between Midwout and Brooklyn. Since the Domine was going on 62 years of age, the church in Brooklyn saw that this imposed an undue burden on Rev. Polhemus and they requested a new minister. The Rev. Henry Selyns was installed on September 3, 1660 and served until July 23, 1664. He was then dismeissed and returned to Holland. His services had been held in a barn and he live in New Amsterdam. Johnnes was requested to return as their minister. This he did until his death. In 1666, during his service, the first church building in Brooklyn was built and continued in use for 100 years.

In a letter written by Rev. Polhemus, dated September 29, 1660, he reported his abilities as aging. And in another letter date August 8, 1662, he was the first to suggest the need and propose the formation of a Classis in New Netherland.

In 1665, the churches in Amersfoort (Flatlands) and Midwout (Flatbush) argued over the time the Domine was able to spend with them. Johannes then appealed to Governor Ncholls. He decided they should have equal time and pay equal sums for his service.

Johannes died on September 9, 1676 in Flatbush, Long Island, New York. His father was Johann Theodor Polhemius. Catharine died around 1702 in Flatbush. Her legal heirs conveyed her property to her younger son, Daniel.

- End of message.

*Regarding the location of Boikirchen, I received the following message:

From: "Brooke Nelson" (b.nelson at ceyoniq.com)
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2002
Subject: Johannis Theoderus Polhemius

Dave,

I too am a descendant of Theodorus (I assume you are). I notice you give his place of birth as Boikirchen near Wolfstein. Unfortunately there is no place by the name of Boikirchen near Wolfstein or in any other part of the German-speaking world for that matter. Don't take my word for it, check a gazetteer. However about a half mile outside the village of Wolfstein there is a hill with a very old and very small church standing on it. Right next to the church are the ruins of what used to be a second church. 400 years ago these two churches and a small number of houses, that are now gone, comprised a community known as Zweikirchen (two churches). If you could see 'Zweikirchen' and 'Boikirchen' written next to one another in 17th century German handwriting, you would see that they are quite similar. This is not my observation. I read it somewhere years ago. I have been to Zweikirchen, however. You won't find it on the map, but all the locals know about it.

also thought that you might find it interesting that I found in German genealogical reference materials that Theodorus' mother was Elisabeth Leisler, the daughter of the Frankfurt reformed minister Friedrich Leisler. This, if true, would make Theodorus Jacob Leisler's first cousin.

Sincerely,
k.brooke.nelson at bigfoot.com

I wrote to a German friend and he told me, "Dave, It makes sense to me Brooke wrote. Boikirchen doesn't sound German and it certainly doesn't mean anything. The given meaning about Zweikirchen is correct and as I said it makes sense."

Here is a posting from Ruth Ryan:

The Polhemus Family Burying Ground, near Scobyville. (From the Book of the Dead of Monmouth)
Bennet See Polhemus
Clark See Polhemus
Drum George, d. Dec 1, 1834, aged 52y 17d
Drum Catharine, wife of George, d. Dec 10, 1857, aged 45y 3m 15d
Drum Ann, dau of George and Catharine, d. Jan 12, 1821, aged 2y
Dubois Mathias V., son of Joseph and Sarah, d. Dec 14, 1850, aged 53y 1m 5d
Lefferts Jane, wife of Leffert, d. Sep 18, 1826
Lefferts Aukey, d. Nov 26, 1769, aged 92y 7m 28d
Lefferts Mary, wife of Aukey, d. Sep 1, 1732, aged about 55y
Lefferts Ben, d. Jul 28, 1785, in his 67th y
Lefferts Mary, d. Jun 28, 1809 (This is a very curious stone. It stands next to that of Ben Lefferts. After the date of Mary's death, her age is given, but in a most odd manner. She died in her 99th or 44th year. The '99' and the '44' were egraved in the stone, one over the other, the numerals covering each other, but each set as clear and distinct as though cut yesterday. What her age was is not easily deduced. Mary was probably Ben's wife. If so, she was eight years his senior, or forty-seven years his junior.)

Polhemus Daniel I., d. Jun 2, 1831, aged 71y 1m 4d
Polhemus Elizabeth, wife of Daniel I., d. Oct 23, 1815, aged 49y 4m 20d
Polhemus Catherine, wife of Daniel T., d. Jul 20, 1797, in her 21st y. (Stone very badly worn)
Polhemus John, Jr., son of John and Mary, d. Nov 26, 1814, aged 38y 4m 6d
Polhemus Jane, dau of ____. (This stone stands between that of John, Jr., and that of Daniel, son of Tobias. The remainder of the inscription appears to have been cut away purposely, probably with a steel instrument. Holes a half inch or more in depth pit the surface in the places where the lettering once was. Elsewhere, the stone is perfect.)
Polhemus Daniel, son of Tobias, d. Jan 12, 1772, aged 7y
Polhemus Jane, dau of Tobias, d. Nov 26, 1771, aged 2y 4m 6d
Polhemus Nelley, dau of John and Mary, d. Jul 24, 1777, aged 3y 2m 14d
Polhemus Cyrenius, son of John and Mary, d. Aug 4, 1777, aged 6y 5m 15d
Polhemus Cyrenius, son of Daniel I., d. Dec ?, 1788, aged 2m 28d
Polhemus John, son of Daniel and Elizabeth, d. Jun 25, 1802, aged 1y 5m 7d
Polhemus Mary, dau of Daniel and Elizabeth, d. Apr 25, 1806, aged 14y 9m 17d
Polhemus William, son of Daniel and Micah, d. Aug 17, 1807, aged 17y 6m 15d
Polhemus Mary, dau of Daniel and Micah, D. Jun 9, 1804, aged 1m 11d
Polhemus Albert, son of Daniel and Micah, d.Jan 3, 1787, aged 21d
Polhemus Daniel A., D. Jan 29, 1820, aged 57y 6m 10d
Polhemus Micah Clark, wife of Daniel A. (Stone in several pieces, part missing)
Polhemus Sarah, wife of Daniel T., d. Feb 7, 1857, aged 88y 16d
Polhemus Daniel T., d. Oct 1, 1826, aged 55y 8m 18d
Polhemus Tobias, d. Aug 24, 1826, aged 82y 4m 11d
Polhemus Mary, wife of Tobias, d. Jul 17, 1821, aged 69y 6m 11d
Polhemus John, d. Mar 24, 1823, aged 89y 4m 27d
Polhemus Alkey Bennet, wife of Albert, d. Oct 26, 1804, aged 64y 11m 14d
Polhemus Mary, wife of John, and dau of Grenius and Abigail Van Mater, d. Sep 27, 1809, aged 76y 6m 13d
Polhemus Hannah, d. Oct 29, 1792, in her 54th y.
Polhemus Albert, son of Daniel and Margaret, d. Sep 4, 1760, aged 28y 1m 14d
Polhemus Margaret, wife of Daniel, d. Jun 17, 1780, in her 70th y
Polhemus Daniel, Sr., d. Sep 26, 1763, in his 57th y.
Suidam Abugail, wife of Cornelius, d. Jun 7, 1821, aged 59y 1m 4d
Van Mater See Polhemus
Wickoff Althee, d. Aug 19, 1775, aged 4y 3m
Wikoff Auke, Colonel, d. Apr 26, 1820, in his 72nd y.

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:

Ruth Ryan (rryan at monmouth.com)