From the Bucks Co. site:
THE VAN HORN FAMILY
THE VAN HORN FAMILY. The family of VAN HORN has been a prominent one in Bucks county for two centuries, filing important positions in the official, professional and business life of the county in every generation and constantly sending out its representatives to fill like important positions in other localities and states, its representatives now being found in nearly every state in the Union.
The pioneer ancestor of the family was Christian BARENDTSE, that is Christian, son of Barendt, who it is said came from Hooren, a city of the Zuyder Zee, about twenty-five miles from Amsterdam. The exact date of his arrival in America is not known. He was a carpenter by trade, and the records of New Amsterdam show that he and a fellow craftsman, Auke JANSEN, were appointed, March 10, 1653, by the burgomasters and schepens of New Amsterdam to view a house, about the building of which there was some litigation. These records further show that he was frequently appointed a referee during the next four or five years. And he is shown to have contributed towards the strengthening of the city wall on October 15, 1655. He is also said to have been with the force sent out from New Amsterdam, September 5, 1655, against the Swedes and Finns on the south (now Delaware) river, at Fort Christina. On his return to New Amsterdam he was appointed January 18, 1656, a fire warden, in place of Johan Paul JACQUET, who had resigned and "removed to the South River in New Netherlands." On April 17, 1657, he was admitted a "Small Burgher" of New Amsterdam, an honor which carried with it the freedom of trade and a right to membership in the respective guilds of the town, and conferred upon natives of the city, residents there one year and six weeks before the date of the charter, burgher?s sons-in-law, city storekeepers, salaried servants of the company and all paying the sum of twenty-five guilders. On August 1, 1657, Christian BARENTZE, carpenter, was granted by Peter Stuyvesant, director general of New Netherland, a lot in New Amsterdam, by the Land Gate, (now at Broadway and Wall streets) for a house and garden. He also owned several other properties in the neighborhood, some of which are said to have covered a part of the present Trinity churchyard. Probably as a result of his trip to the South river, Christian BARENTSE and Joost RUGGER and possibly others obtained a grant of land on the south side of None Such creek, a tributary of the Chrisiana, near the present site of Wilmington, Delaware, and began the erection thereon of a tide water mill. According to Amos C. BRINTON, who has given much attention to the ancient mill sites of Delaware BARENTSE and RUGGER, he began the erection of this mill in 1656. From the dates previously given, however, as well as from other records, it would appear, that the date of Christain BARENTSE, removal to the Delaware was sometime in the year 1657. Contemporary records also refer to the mill as a "horse mill," the truth of the matter being most probably that the horse mill was set up to serve until the tide water mill was completed. The low marshy nature of the land and the turning up of the mud to the sun caused an epidemic from which BARENTSE died July 26, 1658. A letter written by Vice-Director Jacob ALRICKS, from New Amstel, (New Castle) to Stuyvesant, under date of September 5, 1658, and published in documents relating to the Colonial History of New York, vol. xii, p. 224, relates entirely to the affairs of the widow and children of Christian BARENTSE. It states that the widow had requested within three days of his burial that she desired to return to New Amsterdam, and that the property which he left be sold and that though he consents thereto he "advised and proposed to her that it would be for her best to remain in possession, she should be assisted in completing the mill, with income whereof, which through the grists she would be able to diminish the expenses and live decently and abundantly with her children on the surplus, besides that she had yet three or four cows with sheep and hogs, which also could help her to maintain her family, she and her children should have remained on and in her and the father?s estate, which was in good condition here, wherein the widow with the children could have continued reputably and in position to much advantage; but she would not listen to advice, * * * that she was to be restricted in her inclinations and well being, which I shall never think of, much less do." The wife of Christian BARENTSE was Jannetje JANS, and it is probable that they were married before coming to America, as the baptism of their eldest child is not recorded in the New York church. On December 12, 1658, Jannetje JANS, widow and executrix of Christian BARENTS, presented an inventory of his goods and chattels to the court at New Amsterdam, and requested that Vice-Director ALRICKS, "Director of the City?s Colony on the South River, where her husband died, be written to in order that the chattels which are there may be sent from the South river to this place." The widow married on September 12, 1658, Laurens Andriessen VAN BOSKERK, who was born in Holstein, Denmark. He was a member of Bergen court in 1667, its president in 1682, a member of the governor?s council for many years. He died in 1693 and Jannetje on July 13, 1694. They were the parents of four children, Andries, Lourens, Peter, and Thomas, the two latter, according to the Dutch custom, being known as Lourensons, appear later to have become known by the name of Lawrence. Peter joined his half-brother, Barant Christian VAN HORN, in his purchase of land in Bucks county in 1703. His youngest son John married Alice VAN HORN, granddaughter of Christian BARENTS, and his daughter Jannetje, married Cornelius CORSON, of Staten Island, and became the ancestress of the Bucks county CORSONS. The children of Christian BARENTS and Jannetje JANS were as follows: Barendt Christian VAN HORN, born in Holland, married Geertje DIRCKS; died in Bergen county, New Jersey, in 1726. 3. Cornelius VAN HORN, baptized August 3, 1653, married Margaret VAN DE BERG, died in Bergen county in 1729. *** 4. Jan VAN HORN, baptized March 18, 1657, married Lena BOONE, died in Bergen County.
Immigration Library
Scandinavian Immigrants in New York 1630?1674
Part II: Danish Immigrants in New York 1630?1674
Excursus
I. Christian BarentsenWhat we here state concerning Barentsen lies hard by the field of conjectural criticism, which is not without merits in genealogical research also.*
Andries Hoppen
page 284
Christian Barentsen, who is sometimes called Christian van Hoorn in the documents, was probably a Scandinavian, a Dane (though we do not count him among our 188). A recent work on "Christian Barentsen Horn and His Descendants," by C. S. William, in treating of Barentsen takes "van Hoorn" as meaning that Barentsen was either from the city of Hoorn in Holland, or a descendant of the old Dutch Van Hoorn family.
It has been difficult for me to get away from the supposition that Barentsen is a Dane. Were he Dutch, it is strange that he both had a name so pronouncedly Scandinavian as, "Christian Barentsen," and that he signed the petition of the Lutherans in New Amsterdam in 1657. A Dutchman from Hoorn would in all probability have been adhering to the Reformed Church. Secondly, a Lutheran, from Dithmarschen, Herman Smeeman, stood, in the same year, sponsor at the baptism of Johannes, Barentsen's son. Thirdly, the names of his children appear to be those that a Scandinavian rather than a Dutchman would select, especially the name of Barent (Bernt).
As to the use of "van Hoorn," there is nothing to show that Barentsen ever used it himself. There are several places on the map called Horn: Horn, formerly a suburb, now a part, of the city of Hamburg; Horn in Lippe, Germany; Horn in Austria; Horn in Norway; Horn in Island, and Horn in Denmark.
[p.285] It may be objected that these places are spelled Horn, and not Hoorn. But anyone familiar with the orthography in our early records will not take this objection seriously. Moreover, a town named "Horne" in Horne Parish (Ribe Amt), Denmark, is spelled Hornae and Hoorn about the year 1340 (J. T. Trap, Kongeriget Danmark, p. 74). "Van Hoorn" may mean any of the Horns mentioned, if they all existed in the days of Barentsen. We may leave the Horn in Lippe and Austria out of consideration, for if Barentsen were a German he would probably not have had the patronymic termination of "sen." Horn near Hamburg may be the place from which Barentsen came. This place was hard by the jurisdiction of the Duchy of Holstein, and not a few Danes were living in the vicinity of Hamburg. It is significant that Cornelius B. Harvey in "Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties" makes the statement?on what authority I do not know?that "Barent Christianse" (likely the same as Christian Barentsen) is from Holstein.
However, we need not exclude the Horn of northern Denmark as the original home of Barentsen, if it existed in the seventeenth century. The same may be said of Horn in NorwayHorn in Norway is not far from Brönnö in Helgeland. In older Norwegian, Horn signifies corner.* and in Island. For early New York had immigrants even from Faroe Islands (Jonas Bronck), and probably from Spitsbergen.Teunis Cornelise Spitsbergen, at Fort Orange (1661?1687)**
But may not "van Horn" have an entirely local meaning? May it not mean a pointed corner (spitzige Ecke)? Barentsen's lot and house in New Amsterdam?which he bought in 1657?formed a pointed corner. What would be more natural, according to the usage of Scandinavians, than to call the resident on this lot Christian van Horn, or Christian from (or, at) the corner? The fact that Laurens Andriessen (who married Christian's widow), became later known as Laurens van Buskirk (from the church by or near the bush), shows how easily new names of local significance were invented and applied. Now Barentsen, to my knowledge, is not called "van Hoorn" before he had purchased the house and lot, just mentioned?in 1657.
Another solution, if the one given be too hypothetical: Barentsen may have got his name at the South River. See documents [p.286] published in William's book on Barentsen and dated Aug. 28, and Dec. 18, 1658; July 16, 1659; January 30, 1660.
To maintain, in view of the indefiniteness of the sources, that "van Hoorn" in the present instance must mean either a member of the Van Hoorn family or an immigrant from Hoorn in Holland would be just as faulty as it would be to contend that every one, with "van Bergen" attached to his name in the records of early New York, must be "from Bergen" in Norway, since there is no van Bergen family in that country. In fact, "van Bergen" in these records, when "Norway" is not added to it, may?and it often does?mean "from Bergen in Holland," "from Bergen in New Jersey," or "from Bergen in Germany."
The reader will pardon this digressive introduction to the record of Christian Barentsen. It shows how difficult it sometimes is to decide the nationality of early immigrants. Barentsen may have been a Dutchman, but this is only a possibility, not amounting to probability?not to speak of as an established fact.
As stated, he probably was a Dane. He married Jannetje Jans, by whom he had three children: Barent, Cornelis, Johannes Christense (New Jersey Archives, First Series XXI, p. 193). His second son, Cornelis, was baptized in New Amsterdam, August 3, 1653. Johannes or Jan was baptized, at the same place, March 18, 1657. Probably Annetje's fourth son Andries, baptized in March, 1659, also was by Barentsen (see article "Laurens Andriessen. Part II.).
Christian Barents was a carpenter. At various times he was appointed by the Court to inspect carpenter work.
In 1654 he was a partner of Auken Jans. These two had constructed a "sheet-piling" at the Graft but it had fallen down, caved in, in consequence of heavy rain and water. The Court summoned them, but being told what was the cause of the falling down, it agreed with the carpenters to pay them for reconstructing it, the sum of thirty-two guilders (besides providing two men as "diggers") on condition that all should be done and properly repaired. (The Records of New Amsterdam, 1653?1674, p. 23.)
On February 26, 1656, Barentsen and two others were appointed firemasters by the burgomasters of New Amsterdam?to inspect, whenever "they please, all the houses and chimneys in [p.287] jurisdiction of the city and there to do for the prevention of fire what is necessary and to collect such fines, as are prescribed by the published orders and the customs of our fatherland." Most of the houses were built of wood, some were roofed with reed. The wooden and plastered chimney was not uncommon (1. c. 21f.).
Barentsen signed the Petition of the Lutherans in New Amsterdam (October, 1657), requesting that the government permit the Lutheran pastor Goetwater to remain in the country. (See note 42, Part I.)
Barentsen was engaged at South river (Delaware river) when he died, June (?) 26, 1658. On August 28, the court messenger handed a letter to the Council, communicating "the demise of Christian Barentsen." (See Year Book of the Holland Society of New York, 1900, p. 114.)
The Minutes of the Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam state (We quote from C. S. William's book):
"August 28, 1658, Orphanmaster Pieter Wolfersen Van Cowvenhoven produces a letter received through Court Messenger, Pieter Schabanck, which having been opened, was found to have been written and sent by the Hon. Alrichs from the South River and to report the death of Christian Barentsen Van Hoorn on the 26th of July, 1658, with a statement by inventory of his estate and request to assist his widow."
He had property. Under date of November 7, 1657, it is recorded that Cornelis Jansen Plavier, of New Amsterdam, acknowledged that he owes Barentsen 1233 guilders and 17 stivers purchase money of a house and lot at New Amsterdam, west of the broad "Heerewegh" bounded by the cast and north side by the said "Heerewegh" and the city wall. to the west Do(mine) Drysius, to the south the house and lot of Jacob Vis and of the Company. Plavier mortgaged the lot. (Year Book of the Holland Society of New York, 1900, p. 167.)
Under date of May 3, 1658, we find an entry that Hendrick Hendricksen, a tailor, was indebted to Barentsen for the sum of 500 guilders, the balance of purchase money for a house and lot at New Amsterdam, near the land to the Gate, the Heerewegh to the west. Barentsen had bought it on August l, 1657. Hendricksen mortgaged his house to him. (Ibid, p. 165.)
[p.288] Barentsen's estate was sold to Solomon Hansen in January, 1660. It brought the sum of 574 guilders. The one who supervised the sale was Laurens Andriessen, who had married Barentsen's widow, December 12, 1658. (Ibid., p. 119.)
It appears that Barentsen had a grist-mill on the estate of his wife's father in the colony of New Amstel, and that Vice-Director Alrich, who governed this colony was concerned about the welfare of the widow of Barentsen. He wrote a letter to Director Stuyvesant, August 17, 1658, in which he asked the Director to help her and her affairs, recommending her to the orphan masters. He again wrote to Stuyvesant, September 5, 1858:
"In regard to the widow of Christian B[arents] as she desired beyond measure to go there and requested it within three days after her husband's burial by word of mouth and by writing, also that the property, which he left behind, might be sold immediately, all of which has been agreed to and permitted at her repeated instances or demands and arranged for the best of the heirs, so that they have been benefited more than usually by some presents or words of consolation, as your Honor will have seen from the transmitted letters and account and sale of the property, therefore there is no cause given the aforesaid widow to complain, but I only advised or proposed to her, that it would be for her best to remain in possession, she should be assisted in completing the mill, with the income of which through the grist she would be able to diminish the expenses and live decently and abundantly with her children on the surplus; besides that she had yet 3 or 4 good cows with sheep and hogs, which also could help her to maintain her family, she and her children should have remained on and in her and the father's estate, which was in good condition here, wherein the widow with the children could have continued reputably and in (good) position to much advantage; but she would not listen to advice?that she was to be restricted in her inclinations and wellbeing, which I shall never think of, much less do. This God may grant and give, and I will ask him to take your Honor and us with our families in his Almighty care and protection." (New York Colonial Documents, XII., p. 224.)
From
http://www.vanhorne.net/genealogy.asp:
Christian Barentsen Van Hoorn was the brother of Jan Cornellessen Van Hoorn of the family branch one above. Please also refer to the historical summary above as related to both men.
In The Van Horn Family History by Francis M. Marvin, several references from colonial records identify Christian Barentsen. Of particular interest is the following: On August 1, 1657, he is given patent for lot of land "By the Land Gate" New Amsterdam ( at Broadway and Wall Street ).
The following genealogical records are taken from The Van Horn Family History by Francis M. Marvin, 1929.
Christian Barentsen Van Horne: DOB: unknown, DOD: 26 July 1658, Jannetje Jans: DOB: unknown, DOD: unknown. The date of marriage is unknown.
The following Children are recorded:
1. Barnet ( Who is also referred to as: Barent Christian Van Hoorn ): DOB: 30 Aug. 1651, DOD: unknown, Married: Gertje Dircks Claussen: DOB: unknown, DOD: unknown. The date of marriage is 14 Feb. 1679. This couple had eleven children.
2. Cornelius: Baptized 3 Aug. 1653, DOD: unknown, Married Margaret Vander Burgh: DOB: unknown, DOD: unknown. The date of marriage is 4 March 1675.
3. Johannis: Baptized: 18 March 1657, DOD: unknown. Married: Lenah Boone: DOB: unknown, DOD: unknown.