Drawing 35/50 cm 2008  50 Euro

More info, pieterzandvliet45@gmail.com

I’ve mentioned before that I enjoy doing genealogical research, digging back through layers of history, trying to put together a sometimes very complicated puzzle to reveal certain connections.  One of the great pleasures I take in doing this is coming across the life stories of ancestors that are just plain good tales.

One such is from my wife’s family, the story of the lady they called the Flying Angel.  Her maiden name was Magdalena Dircksen Volckertsen and she was born in New Amsterdam (now Manhattan) in the 1630’s, her father a builder of the earliest homes there for the Dutch West Indies Company.

Her first husband ( not in my wife’s family line) was a privateer for the Dutch West Indies Company.  That is to say, he was a pirate hired by the company to attack foreign ships and competitors in the area.  Called “Captain Caper” for his daring, he was killed in an Indian attack that was the beginning of the Indian Wars of 1655.  Magadalena was left a young widow with an infant child.

Two years later she married Herman Hendricksen Rosenkrance, called “Herman the Portuguese.”  The name came not from his nationality ( he was from Norway) but from his service as a mercenary for the Dutch company in Brazil where they forced their way into sugar growing areas controlled by the Portuguese.  Finally repelled from Brazil, Herman and his cohorts were sent to New Amsterdam to engage the Indians there.  Herman stayed on as a settler, supposedly running a tavern of low repute called the Flying Angel, the origin of Magdalena’s nickname.

Magdalena had quite the temper.  On her wedding day to Herman, after downing some beers, she was walking with her sister just above what is now Wall Street in NYC when she passed and insulted the fire warden.  What was termed a street riot broke out and several weeks later  she was yellow-carded by Peter Stuyvesant, meaning she was expelled from the settlement, sent back to Holland where she and Herman bided their time for two years until they were finally allowed to come back, provided they did not open a tavern or sell spirits.

The following years were a series of adventures involving Indian Wars  (one that had Herman being captured and staked out in the sun before he was able to escape), various  legal troubles, some involving Magadalena throwing beer in the faces of a number of  men, stabbings and accusations of selling liquor to the native Indian population.  They ended up living up the Hudson, near Kingston, where Magdalena lived into her 90’s.

It’s rumored that in her later years, she would chase Indians from her property by running out at them, yelling and shaking a large growth on her neck at them.  How could she not live to 90?

It’s just an interesting footnote in our history and the early settlement of NY, one that you don’t hear much about.  I’m always excited when I come across such stories, especially when there is a small personal connection.  Magadalena and Herman would be my wive’s 8th generation grandparents.

I’m not sure how proud she is…

Compiled by Gail Umeham

**

United Jewish Fund Head Outlines Plans for 1954 Campaign
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

Louis Moorsteen, newly elected president of the United Jewish Fund, announced that the 1954 campaign is scheduled to open on Monday, March 29.  Selection of campaign leadership will take place during the early part of the month of February.

In 1954, the drive will lay emphasis on coverage of as many Jewish people in San Diego as possible in order to give every Jewish person the privilege and opportunity of joining with others in the great causes represented by the over 42 agencies benefitting from the combined appeal.

Great responsibilities confront the Jewish community of San Diego in 1954.  “It is our duty,” Mr. Moorsteen said, “to continue the vast humanitarian programs of those agencies which carry on relief work in western Europe, Israel and the Moslem lands where our brethren continue to suffer persecution and deprivation.  We also must aid them in reaching our shores in quest of a new life free from the suffering of the old world.  We must do our part in supporting those institutions in our own country and in our own city that carry on welfare, educational, religious, and recreational activities.  It is also our duty to help those agencies that are carrtying on the fight against bigotry and discrimination.”

Mr. Moorsteen continued, “that the Jewish community of San Diego must again understand the important role of the United Jewish Fund campaign in gathering funds for the beneficiary agencies and institutions.  Were it not for this single campaign, our community would be beset by numerous drives which would be a burden in terms of manpower and actual campaign costs.”

Organizations and individuals are urged to support, with contributions and workers, the work of the United Jewish Fund and to respect the the campaign dates of March 29 to May 15.  Volunteers will be badly needed.  Volunteer your services by calling Belmont 2-5172.

New Temple Leader
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

At a meeting of the Board, on Feb. 1, Mack Esterson was elected president of the Congregation Beth Israel.  Mr. Esterson has been active in Temple activities for a number of years and had served as membership chairman.   He is a member of the board of the Jewish Community Center, the United Jewish Fund and the Federation of Jewish Agencies.

Other officers elected were Irving Friedman, vice-pres.; Dr. R. M Stone, treas.; Mrs. Jack Wyner, sec.  New members of the board include Sylvan Baranov, Charles Silverman, Bernard Lipinsky, Robert Strauss, and Mortimer Rosenbaum.

Re-elected and held-over members are Mrs. Joseph Silverman, Rodin Horrow, Nathan Schiller, Nathan Baranov, Henry Weinberger, Murray Goodrich, Morris Douglas, Richard Lustig, Mrs. Maury Novak, and Ben Rubin.

Mr. Esterson stated that he thought that the new board of the Temple represented a good cross-section of the membership.  He intends to establish an office in the new Temple House building where he will devote a number of hours each day to the problems of administration.

Council Urges End To McCarran-Walter Act
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

Revision of the McCarran-Walter Act “so as to reflect the traditional policy of the United States of providing a haven for the oppressed and persecuted” was called for by the Western States Region of the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds at its annual Assembly held in San Diego last week.

More than 150 representatives from 16 Jewish communities in the area attended the three-day meeting.  The delegates discussed and took action on major local, national and overseas problems facing American Jewry in 1954.

Adm. Baker Honored At Guardians Dinner Meeting
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

Admiral Wilder D. Baker, USN (Retired), was the recipient of the organization’s annual award as “Outstanding Citizen-of-the-Year,” Allen Ferer, president of the Guardians of San Diego, announced today.  Admiral Baker was chosen by acclaim of the membership, from a group of eligibles prominent in local civic life.

“Our selection of the Admiral for this distinction,” stated Ferer, “was predicated upon his sterling performances for the civic good in the past, crowned by his great energy, leadership and inspiration that made possible the tremendous success of the recent Community Chest Drive.”

The award was in the form of an inscribed plaque, presented at a dinner of the Guardians Thursday, February 4^th, in the Continental Room of the San Diego Hotel.

Previous recipients of the award included George Scott, President of the Walker-Scott Corporation; ex-Mayor Harley; and Judge Jacob Weinberger.

The Guardians, with a membership of 228 prominent local business men and civic leaders, is a contributing arm in the maintenance of the San Diego Hebrew Home for the Aged.

Many prominent religious and civic leaders were guests of the organization.

 *

Labor Committee To Sponsor Jewish Artists
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

The Jewish Labor committee will sponsor a group of artists who have appeared in any cities of the United States, portraying in short synopsis the history of 300 years of Jewish life in America.

Beginning with the first Jewish settlers in 1654, the attempt of Governor Peter Stuyvesant to expel the Jews from New Amsterdam, and numerous highlights of the activities and contributions of the Jews to the glorious history of this country will be depicted.

“Gut Yom-Tov, Yiddin” is the title of the dramatic musical portrayal of Jewish life in American which is directed by the talented artist, Israel Weliuchansky and his supporting group—Masha Benya, unique interpreter of Yiddish and Hebrew songs; Charlotte Cooper, accomplished actress and comedienne; and Pola Kadison, outstanding pianist.

The colorful program will consist of songs, humor, drama, and music, which will be presented in San Diego on Sunday evening, March 7^th, at Beth Jacob Center.  The cooperation of the San Diego Jewry in making this event a successful affair will be appreciated.

] For further information and reservations, call Ben Beiunberg, BE-2-5524; Mrs. Ira Gordon, BE-3-3648; or Herrman Sunabend, AT-1-7380.

 *

Philip M. Klutznick To Honor San Diego with Visit
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

For the first time in many years, San Diego will be honored with a visit by the president of the Supreme Lodge of B’nai B’rith, when Philip M. Klutznick, B’nai B’rith’s newly elected dynamic president, comes to San Diego on Tuesday, February 9^th. 

Highlighting his short visit will be a luncheon given in his honor by Jewish community leaders at the San Diego Hotel in the new State Ballroom at 12 noon.

Mr. Klutznick will also speak to B’nai B’rith leadership of San Diego after the luncheon and will leave San Diego in the early evening.

The 46-year-old Klutznick was elected B’nai B’rith President last May, as climax to one of the most meteoric careers in the history of American Jewish life.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Klutznick received his law degree from Creighton University and was admitted to the bar at the age of 23.  He had already distinguished himself by being the first National AZA debate champion and Grand Aleph Godel (International President of AZA) at the age of 18.  He was president of Omaha Lodge of B’nai B’rith at 23—the youngest in Omaha’s history.

An ardent Zionist, Klutznick was president of the Omaha Zionist District and was on the National Board of the Palestine Economic Corporation.  He was also chairman of the American Housing Committee for Israel at the request of Prime Minister Ben Gurion.

Morrie Kraus, past president of Lasker Lodge and member of the Executive Board of the District B’nai B’rith, is chairman of the planning committee for Mr. Klutznick’s visit.  Albert A. Hutler will act as chairman for the luncheon on Tuesday.  Reservations may be made either through Mr. Kraus or Mr. Hutler by calling Belmont 2-5172.

Hadassah Presents “Faith in Freedom”
Southwestern Jewish Press February 6, 1954 Page 1

“Mrs. Stanley Strimling, Education Chairman, announced this week that “Faith in Freedom” is the theme for Hadassah and the monthly meeting to be held on February 17^th at noon in Temple Center.  It will be highlighted with the appearance of the following prominent civic leaders, Rabbi Morton J. Cohn of Temple Beth Israel, Alexander Marshall, head of the Great Books Foundation of San Diego County, Rembert James, political analyst of the San Diego Union and Paul White, nationally known radio commentator.

The entire discussion will be in panel form and Mrs. Irving Alexander is assisting Mrs. Strimling in presenting the program.

Hadassah’s Public Relations Chairman, Mrs. Sidney Goldhammer, has sent invitations to thirty leaders of local organizations to be guests of the organization that day.  The entire community is invited.

Reservations for luncheon are necessary and may be made with Mrs. Walter Parker at Juniper-2-7941.

Youth Aliyah Dinner—Hadassah’s Youth Aliyah Dinner on February 22^nd will be a social highlight for San Diegans when Ralph Edwards of Hollywood will present a “This is Your Life” program featuring the life story of a prominent Hadassah member.  Dinner will be served in the Continental Room of the San Diego Hotel at 7 p.m. with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. preceding the festivities.  Reservations are necessary and will close on February 10^th.  Dinner will be $2.50 per person.  Reservations may be made with Mrs. John Ruskin, 4208 North Talmadge Dr., Atwater 1-6802.

**

“Adventures in Jewish History” is sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg. Our indexed “Adventures in San Diego Jewish History” series will be a daily feature until we run out of history.

Als Kind wollten Sie sein wie…? Der Erfinder des Senkrechtstarters, Etienne Oehmichen hieß der!

Was liegt zu Hause neben Ihrem Bett? Eine Stange HB-Zigaretten, was denn sonst.

Welche Dinge würden Sie AUF KEINEN FALL auf eine einsame Insel mitnehmen? Hustenbonbons, Springerstiefel, Peter Stuyvesant Zigaretten.

Welche Dinge würden Sie AUF JEDEN FALL auf eine einsame Insel mitnehmen? Fallschirme, Schutzhelme, Kopfschmerztabletten und Pflaster, sehr viel Kleingeld für den HB-Zigarettenautomaten und für den Notfall noch einen Hustenanfallauswurf-Eimer.

Was ist Ihr Lebensmotto? „Wer wird denn gleich in die Luft gehen, mal lieber schön ruhig bleiben.“

Welches Buch lesen Sie gerade? Ich lese immer nur die Warnhinweise auf den Zigarettenpackungen. Das sind einfach toll: “Ihr Arzt oder Apotheker kann Ihnen helfen, auf Ihre Kosten das Rauchen aufzugeben” und “Rauchen kann zu Durchblutungsstörungen führen und verursacht Inkontinenz” und “Rauchen lässt Ihre Alte häuten” und “Rauchen kann Ihre persönlichen Spermatozonten schädigen und schränkt die Fruchtbarkeit der libyschen Wüste ein” und “Rauchen macht sehr schnell abhängig: Fangen Sie gar nicht erst an! Kaufen Sie sich lieber eine Flasche Wodka!”

Verraten Sie uns Ihre Lieblings-Internetadresse? http://www.lungenkrebs.de

Ihr liebstes Hobby? Hochsprung trainieren. Ich will endlich die 3,50m im Senkrechtstart schaffen. Aus dem Stand! Das wäre ein neuer Weltrekord in meiner Altersklasse.

Was sollte Ihnen später einmal nachgesagt werden? Er hat immer brav seine Tabaksteuer gezahlt.

Wie entspannen Sie am besten? Wenn ich die Werbesendungen von früher gucke. “Mein Bac, dein Bac, Bac ist für uns alle da!” ist einfach Weltklasse. Ich glaube, da hat sogar Ilja Richter mal mitgespielt. — Und die alte Afri-Cola-Werbung, das entspannt mich auch. Ganz cooles Kino. Da gibt es noch mehr von diesen guten Werbespots.

Ihr peinlichstes Erlebnis war …? Bei all meinen Mißgeschicken kann ich mich an ein wirklich peinliches Erlebnis nicht erinnern. Oder doch. Als ich 1974 eine Peter Stuyvesant Zigarette geraucht hatte, wurde mir schlecht und das war mir sehr peinlich.

This one was spotted on an apartment building in Manhattan’s East teens. ST is for Stuyvesant; Peter Stuyvesant’s bouwerie occupied today’s East Village and Gramercy Park neighborhoods.

Hidden behind a contemporary banner is this swinging 1960s sign, for Frenchman, an air conditioner business on First Avenue and 19th Street.

OR for Orchard? Oregon? Both Manhattan exchanges spanned the East Side below midtown.

I’m turning over this installment of the blog to my favorite Dutch expert, Wessel. Take it away, hon…

Wessel and Diane are part of a 400-year US-Netherlands relationship

It’s great to be Dutch in the USA this year. I’m basking in the light of national pride. In 1609 — 400 years ago — a Dutch ship,  the “Halve Maen” (Half Moon), led by Englishman Henry Hudson, sailed into the waters around Manhattan. Hudson was actually looking for a shortcut to Asia for the Dutch East India Company.

The New Netherland colony and the trading post New Amsterdam, now New York City, would later be founded along its shores. NY400 — an all-year initiative in 2009 — celebrates 400 years of history between the Netherlands and the US.

Many newspapers have carried stories about the anniversary. But do Americans know about this historic event? I wouldn’t be surprised if only 1 percent know anything about what happened. So let me, a Dutch citizen, fill you in a bit.

Monument portrays the Dutch buying Manhattan from Native Americans

More than a decade ago when visiting New York City, I went on an expedition to find traces from the Dutch past. I walked for two days through the city and found different tidbits. Topographical names: Wall Street (Walstraat), Harlem (Haarlem), Brooklyn (Breukelen; Brooklyn Borough Hall has a beautiful mural referring to its Dutch past), Coney Island (Konijneneiland, i.e. Rabbit’s Island). There were statues and plaques: The Dutch buying Manhattan from Native Americans (Battery Park), a plaque commemorating Peter Stuyvesant (last Director-General of the colony of New Netherland 1647-1664). Even the seal of the City of New York mentions 1625, the year that Fort Amsterdam was built on the southern tip of Manhattan.

Santa Claus is really a copycat Sinterklaas

Another legacy is the Dutch linguistic influence. A few hundred words with Dutch roots are sprinkled throughout the English language. Who ever thought of Santa Claus having Dutch roots? The Dutch ancestor is Sinterklaas. Here’s a selection of loanwords: boulevard (via French from: bolwerk), brandy wine (brandewijn), caboose (kombuis), cookie (koekje), coleslaw (koolsla), dike (dijk), frolic (vrolijk), golf (kolf), iceberg (ijsberg), luck (geluk), mannequin (via French from: manneken), stockfish (stokvis), tulip (tulp), wagon (wagen), yacht (jacht). The latest addition is clap skate (klapschaats), a type of ice skate with the blade attached to the boot by a hinge at the front.

Coleslaw was invented by the Dutch, who probably didn't want to waste their leftover cabbage and carrots

While you might not be aware of these Dutch-American stories, some you’re probably familiar with really aren’t Dutch at all. The famous Dutch boy Hans Brinker who saved the nation from disaster by sticking his finger in the dike is a work of fiction story by American writer Mary Mapes Dodge. The famous Dutch tulips were actually imported from Turkey in the mid 16th century. I’m not quite sure what the origins are of the Dutch kissing couple, found in souvenir stores everywhere. My suspicion is that sneaky Dutch merchants made the whole thing up. Even I took the bait, and have a photo of a kissing-couple statue as my desktop wallpaper at work.

Stroopwafel connoisseur Wessel relishes one of these classic Dutch cookies

Another Dutch story is found in the expressions “going Dutch” and “Dutch treat,” meaning everyone pays for themselves. I guess for English-speaking people it’s hard to admit that there are frugal sides to their personalities, so they blame the Dutch. Unfortunately, I am not the best example to derail this stereotype, but I do my part by trying to redefine the expression Dutch treat. On every return trip from the Netherlands, I will fill the empty luggage space with packs of “stroopwafels.” Friends and colleagues can confirm that the stroopwafels are highly addictive and are a real Dutch treat.

A couple performances coming up…one historical and one nice and local but with an added foreign flavor.  I’ve also added a few early reviews of The FreeSong Suite which comes out next week Tuesday!   And our CD release is on October 1st at Roulette…(www.roulette.org)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

The DIA:BEACON

http://www.diabeacon.org
A site specific work at the DIA:BEACON
“Stuyvesant Reluctant”
Pocket Oratorio for 3 voices and cello
Kyoko Kitamura
Yoon Sun Choi
Fay Victor
Tomas Ulrich

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009

55 Bar
www.55bar.org
7:00-9:00PM/Early Set
No cover, 1 drink minimum
Twisted Standards and Free Explorations
FV-voice
Hilliard Greene – double bass
Dom Minasi – guitar
with special guest Oleg Kireyev – tenor & soprano sax

Save the date and please join us on…

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009

Fay Victor Ensemble CD Release “The FreeSong Suite”
Roulette 20 Greene Street (between Canal and Grand Streets)
NY, NY
Reservations/Tickets: 212.219.8242
Admission: $15 Harvestworks & DTW members, Students, Under 30 & Seniors: $10
Roulette members / Location One members: FREE. www.roulette.org

If you were sailing up the East River in the mid-1660s and catching your first glimpse of New Amsterdam, this is what you could expect to see. 

Painter Johannes Vingboon depicts the colony as a tidy little Dutch hamlet, complete with row houses, a windmill, and, eerily enough, a gallows right on the shoreline. 

 
In the 1660s, Peter Stuyvesant was Director-General of New Amsterdam. Life wasn’t easy for the 1,500 souls living here: There were just a handful of muddy main streets and constant skirmishes with the Lenape Indians. But the City Tavern, built in the 1640s, probably made things bearable.

This painting is part of the National Archives of the Netherlands. It’ll be on display—along with other New Amsterdam artwork, maps, and plans—at the South Street Seaport Museum starting September 12.

It’s all part of NY400, a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage along the river that now bears his name.

Peter Stuyvesant threw a secret party to celebrate something or the other I’m not sure on the details cause I wasn’t invited but my boy Dj Chris Kelly was and damn wouldnt you know it the invite was bad as a mother!

One part, steel box made of melted “Hand Guns”  and one part New York City “Citation Notice”, seriously fucking cool.

- taz

Better look after the jump, Photos thanks to Ruthykins

DIT ARTIKEL VERSCHEEN EERDER IN DE PZC-BIJLAGE SPECTRUM VAN ZATERDAG 8 AUGUSTUS (SINT DOMINICUS)

Het huis van Jacobus Jr. Vanderveer in Pluckemin (New Jersey) waar generaal Henry Knox de winter van 1778 en 1779 verbleef.

 Geschiedenis vormt zich vaak door een merkwaardige samenloop van omstandigheden. Als Cornelis Janse Dominicus uit Wemeldinge niet naar Nieuw Nederland was gevlucht na ‘een seecker voorgevallen ongeluck’, had zijn zoon Jacob Sr. zich nooit gevestigd op het door Nederlanders bewoonde boerenland in New Jersey, had Cornelis’ kleinzoon Jacob Jr. geen onderdak verleend aan generaal Henry Knox in de winter van 1778 en 1779, had Knox Amerika’s eerste militaire academie elders gevestigd en waren er nu geen grootse plannen geweest om het huis en omringende terrein als openluchtmuseum in te richten. 

Waarschijnlijk zal niemand er ooit meer achterkomen hoe het komt dat Cornelis Janse Dominicus, geboren in 1624 in Wemeldinge, in 1657 betrokken is bij een ‘seecker ongeluck’. In de archieven uit die tijd is na 1661 geen enkele vermelding meer van Cornelis te vinden en over het ‘ongeluk’ wordt overal gezwegen.

„De familie Dominicus schaamde zich mogelijk voor dat wat er met Cornelis is gebeurd”, vermoedt Dies Martens uit Oudenbosch, die via moederlijke lijn rechtstreeks afstamt van Cornelis Janse Dominicus (1557) uit Kloetinge en uit pure belangstelling een groot stuk van de Dominicus familiegeschiedenis heeft uitgeplozen. „Maar met een ‘seecker ongeluck’ wordt bijna altijd een doodslag, geen moord, bedoeld. Voor de Reformatie kon dat worden afgekocht met een bedrag aan de nabestaanden, het publiekelijk vragen om vergiffenis en een bedevaart naar een heiligdom.”

Zeker is wel dat na Cornelis’ ongeluk diens goederen zijn belast met vele schulden en dat zijn jongere broer Jacob Janse Dominicus de ondankbare taak op zich neemt die te vereffenen. Cornelis verdwijnt, om twee jaar later weer in het ‘Niew Jork’ van Peter Stuyvesant op te duiken. Waar hij deze twee jaar heeft uitgehangen, is lastig te achterhalen. Stamboomonderzoeker Andrew Mellick meldt in zijn boek The Story of an Old Farm, Or Life in New Jersey in the Eighteenth Century uit 1889 dat Cornelis vertrok vanuit het vestingstadje Alckmarr (Alkmaar) in Noord-Holland. Maar volgens Martens moet dat verhaal naar het rijk der fabelen worden verwezen. „Veel Amerikanen denken dat ze alleen maar afstammen van adellijke types uit Europa. Mogelijk verborg hij zich in Veere, omdat hij zich in Amerika Vanderveer is gaan noemen”, zegt hij.

In elk geval komt Cornelis Janse Dominicus in februari 1659 met het schip De Otter aan in Amerika. Hij vestigt zich in Flatbush, een plaatsje in het Newyorkse stadsdeel Brooklyn op Long Island. Martens: „Toch kan de reden van zijn vlucht geen financiële geweest zijn, want hij koopt in Nieuw Amsterdam een boerderij en hij bezit thuis in Wemeldinge nog heel veel grond. Zijn broer Jacob is hem nog 3330 gulden schuldig en in 1706 komt een nazaat naar Dordrecht om het resterende bedrag te incasseren. In zijn nieuwe vaderland wordt hij, geheel in lijn met de familietraditie, landbouwer en magistraat.”

Het huis dat Jacob Sr. Vanderveer bouwde en waar zoon Elias later in zou wonen. Het staat nu in een openluchtmuseum in Bedminster (New Jersey).

Cornelis trouwt in 1666 met de Nederlandse Tryntie Mandeville in Flatbush en uit dat huwelijk worden tien
kinderen geboren. Het is zijn negende zoon, Jacob Vanderveer Sr., die uiteindelijk besluit verder te trekken, naar het westelijker gelegen New Jersey. Daar, in het plaatsje Pluckemin aan de rivier Raritan, bouwt hij omstreeks 1745 een huis. Het staat niet meer op deze plek, maar is in de jaren zeventig van de vorige eeuw verplaatst naar een openluchtmuseum in Bedminster (NJ).

Het is de tijd van de Amerikaanse Onafhankelijkheidsoorlog, die uiteindelijk tussen 1775 en 1783 zou woeden. New Jersey is een plek waar vooral Nederlanders op zoek naar landbouwgrond neerstrijken. Ze spreken amper Engels en hebben weinig op met de heersende Britten. Zo ook de patriottistisch ingestelde kinderen van Jacobus Sr. Zoon Elias vecht mee in het continentale leger, wordt in 1776 gevangen genomen door de Britse cavalerie en sterft uiteindelijk in 1778 op 33-jarige leeftijd.

Elias’ broer Jacobus Jr. bouwt omstreeks 1772 aan de andere kant van de rivier, op een paar honderd meter

Generaal Henry Knox verbleef in de winter van 1778 en 1779 in het huis van Vanderveer in Pluckemin. Naar alle waarschijnlijkheid ging het om het huis van Jacob Jr., maar in theorie kan hij ook in het huis van Jacob Sr. en later Elias gelogeerd hebben.

verwijderd van pa’s huis, zijn eigen optrekje. In de winter van 1778 en 1779 wordt het het onderdak aan generaal Henry Knox. In theorie kan Knox ook het huis van Elias hebben gekozen, de historische bronnen zijn hierover niet eenduidig, maar Jacob Jr.’s huis is alleen al vanwege de grotere omvang waarschijnlijker. De familie Vanderveer blijft gedurende de logeerperiode in het huis wonen.

„De troepen overnachtten in tentenkampen en daar zat een filosofie achter”, verklaart Jim Kurzenberger, historisch specialist van State Park Service in New Jersey. Hij geeft rondleidingen in het Wallace Huis in Somerville (NJ), waar generaal George Washington, die later de eerste president van de Verenigde Staten zou worden, diezelfde winter zijn kwartier had. Het Wallace-huis ligt een paar kilometer verwijderd van het Vanderveer/Knox-huis. „De leiders van het continentale leger waren zich bewust van de grote ergernis onder de kolonisten over de vanzelfsprekendheid waarmee de vijandelijke Britse militairen woningen confisqueerden. Alleen de hoogst geplaatste officieren mochten hun intrek nemen in echte huizen, maar er werd wel van ze verwacht dat ze voor de huur betaalden.”

Vóór de oorlog is Henry Knox boekenverkoper in Boston, maar van begin af aan is hij betrokken bij de onafhankelijkheidsstrijd tegen de Engelsen. Zo raakt hij in contact met George Washington, die direct onder de indruk is van Knox’ kennis op het gebied van artillerie. Al snel begint Washington op hem te bouwen als het gaat om zaken op dit militaire vakgebied. De generaal heeft voor die tijd vernieuwende ideeën om de artillerie te verbeteren en vele daarvan voert hij in Pluckemin voor het eerst uit. Het door hem ingerichte Middlebrook-kamp bij Pluckemin ziet er zelfs zo indrukwekkend uit dat het mensen van heinde en verre trekt. Er zijn gescheiden barakken voor de officieren, maar ook een wapensmidse, wagenhuizen en een laboratorium.

Het grootste wapenfeit van de toen 28-jarige Knox is echter wel de oprichting van Amerika’s eerste militaire academie, jaren vóórdat op West Point de crème de la crème van het Amerikaanse leger zou worden opgeleid. Knox ziet dat de continentale troepen verzwakt, slecht geoutilleerd en gedemotiveerd in Pluckemin aankomen en weet dat de strijd tegen de naburige Britse bolwerken New Brunswick (NJ) en New York City (NY) taai zal worden. Hij gebruikt daarom de hele winter in Pluckemin om de duizend militairen onder hem te trainen. Van maart tot medio juni 1779 worden er lessen gegeven.

Hoewel het de bedoeling is om de drilklasjes ook volgende winters in de academie voort te zetten, gebeurt dat niet. Het volgende jaar zitten de troepen in Morristown en wordt het Middlebrook kamp volgens historicus John Seidel ‘het drukst bezette hospitaal’ van de Nieuwe Wereld.

Het had niet veel gescheeld of het Vanderveer huis, het enige nog overblijvende gebouw in de omgeving dat herinnert aan het Middlebrook kamp, was afgebroken. Het gemeentebestuur kocht het pand in 1989 aan en verhuurde het door tot het onbewoonbaar werd verklaard. Maar er stond een vereniging voor Vrienden van het Jacobus Vanderveer Huis op, die in 1999 de verantwoordelijkheid van financiering voor, restauratie van en onderzoek naar het historische erfgoed op zich nam. Ze hebben grootse plannen om niet alleen het huis, maar ook het omliggende terrein in volle glorie te herstellen. Uiteindelijk moet het één groot openluchtmuseum worden. Zover is het nog niet. Misschien gaat het huis zelf dit of volgend jaar op vaste tijden open als museum, maar voorlopig moeten geïnteresseerden zich behelpen met twee opendeur weekeinden per jaar of een bezichtiging op afspraak.

www.jvanderveerhouse.com

De tekst op het graf van Jacob Vanderveer jr. (rechts): Jacob Van Derveer Elq Born March the 6. 1704 & Departed this life Novem. the 17, 1776 Aged 72 Years 8 mos. and 11 days.

The start of a wonderful world with tea began in ancient China over 5,000 years ago. So the story goes, Shen Nung, an early emperor was a skilled ruler, creative scientist and patron of the arts. He insisted that all drinking water must be boiled for hygienic reasons. One summer day while visiting a distant region of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. The servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from the near by bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown liquid was infused into the water. The Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created.

Tea consumption spread throughout the Chinese culture reaching into every aspect of the society.

The first tea seeds were brought to Japan by the returning Buddhist priest Yeisei, who had seen the value of tea in China in enhancing religious mediation.

While tea was at this high level of development in both Japan and China, information concerning this then unknown beverage began to filter back to Europe.

Tea finally arrived in Europe, and because of the success of the Dutch navy in the Pacific, tea became very fashionable in the Dutch capital. This was due in part to the high cost of the tea,over $100 per pound, which immediately made it the domain of the wealthy.

Peter Stuyvesant brought the first tea to America to the colonists in the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam (later re-named New York by the English). Settlers here were confirmed tea drinkers.

Great Britain was the last of the three great sea-faring nations to break into the Chinese and East Indian trade routes. The first samples of tea reached England between 1652 and 1654. Tea grew so popular in England that it replaced ale and became the most common beverage.

Central Park lake with skyscrapers on horizon

We took the Subway up to Central Park today, after stopping in at Kiah’s work to meet her co-workers.  They all told me how much they liked her, so that was wonderful!  We grabbed two coffees and a hazelnut raisin flute.  For any of you Midwesterners or country-folk, a “flute” is a long thin braid of bread.  Oh how lovely!  We found a sturdy gray rock in the park and lounged while munching our flute and sipping coffee with soymilk.  Ahhh, the joys of life!

Want to rent a boat for a little row around the park?

We wandered around the park for several hours, exiting only for lunch.  It was one of my favorite days thus far!  (Are you surprised?)  I remember hearing about Central Park back in the 1970’s.  It was some shady place where women were murdered, if you believed all the newspaper reports.  It certainly wasn’t this beautiful enchanting family-filled green world in the midst of a busy city filled with laughter, companionship, relaxation and blooming flowers.

We read, we talked, we wandered, we explored everything from the castle to the lakes to the reservoir, we wished we had thought to bring a blanket.  If we had a blanket, we would have napped.

Woman reading...82 degrees and sunny

Here’s what I like about the city, as of tonight.  So much diversity exists!  I consider myself quite open-minded and liberal, but New York City kept opening more and more of my inner doors.  The wide variety of races, inclinations, and languages in every shape and form makes one realize even more that we are not limited to one race, one was of life, one way of thinking.  What a joy to begin to realize this even deeper.  The amount of diversity in “things to do” also keeps one occupied, inspired, learning new things.

However, in Central Park I also saw the disadvantages to walking in the midst of a nature that is so pruned and controlled.  The “real” woods is full of fallen trees, rotting wood, brambles and what might look like chaos to the unpracticed eye.  Well, maybe even to the “practiced” eye.  These parks are cultured gardens.  They are beautiful and intriguing, but very little like their wild cousins.

Blooms

Cute little girl, isn't she?

 Later in the evening we played cribbage in another park, called Stuyvesant Square.  I grew up thinking we were related to Peter Stuyvesant, the first governor of New York City.  He had one peg-leg and a mean reputation.  The actual family tree, completed years later, revealed we were kin to Anneke Jens Bogordus, a fellow Dutchman who helped settle this area.  I used to talk to Anneke at about age fourteen in my imagination.  

So tonight we dealt cards and played a mean game of cribbage beneath Peter’s statue.  Seems like half of Manhattan was enjoying the day in the parks, just like us.  

Peter Stuyvesant's statue (a friend of our ancestor)

It’s almost time to say goodbye and return to the North Woods where Spring is just coming into her full beauty.  Where the woods are a little bit more wild and uncontrolled.  We’ve heard that a wildfire burned about 400 acres less than ten miles from our house, and the temperature hit 92 yesterday afternoon.  My husband said, “Are you coming home soon?” when we talked on the phone today.  He said there hasn’t been Internet at our house in two days.  Yikes!  Hope it’s operating by the time the plane lands…

What a wonderful trip!

The First Synagogue in the Americas

The Jews have had a very strong influence in Brazil from the days soon after the first foreign settlements.  They came as New Christians with the Portuguese, and more arrived later with the Dutch, who gave them religious freedom.  They were mostly professionals: doctors, engineers, lawyers, scientists and navigators.  They were also wealthy and acted as financiers.  These features of the Jewish community gave them influence, and they were able to play a significant role in the early development of what is now Brazil.

The story of the Jews in Brazilian history is long and runs deep.

The Jews in Portugal

Prior to the Portuguese Inquisition in 1536, the Jews in Portugal lived side-by-side with Christians, Arabs and those of other cultures in an age of prosperity and peace.  Their influence on the Portuguese in Europe was great in the 15th & 16th century.  The well-educated Jews expanded Portuguese horizons and knowledge of the world.  Their knowledge helped in the design of better ships, and their understanding of astronomy and mathematics lead to improvements in marine navigation. These advances allowed the Portuguese to explore the new world.

The Portuguese Inquisition came long after the Spanish started theirs in 1470.  The Spanish version promoted religious intolerance and the idea of Catholic orthodoxy, which demanded conversion of faith or expulsion, but initially the Portuguese resisted pressure to adopt similar policies.  Instead, they tolerated those who added such wealth and value to their country.  Royal marriages between the Portuguese and Spanish put an end to this, and in December 1496 the the expulsion of Moors and Jews from Portuguese territory began.

The loss of labor and capital drained the Portuguese economy.  Eventually, the King stopped the exodus and chose instead forced baptism to ensure the religious conversion of the Jews to New Christians, and they were prohibited from leaving the kingdom.  Forced to stay, they were isolated and persecuted, and in 1506 many in Lisbon were massacred.  Soon after, the King used the law to declare equality between new and old Christians since they were all of the same religion.  The Jews were allowed to leave ghettos and integrate.

When the King asked the Pope for the Inquisition for Portugal in 1515, under pressure from the clergy and from Spain, the Jews had little to fear.  By then they were Christians.  The first Inquisitor was not in place until 1531.  He immediately mistrusted the convictions of the New Christians and prohibited them from leaving the Kingdom until 1538.  It was during these years that the Portuguese discovered and began occupying the Brazilian territory.

The First Jews in Brazil

Given that the Jews were not allowed to leave the Kingdom of Portugal during the early years of the Portuguese occupancy of Brazil, how can we explain the presence of New Christians in Brazil at this time?  In fact, the explanation is simple; Portugal and Brazil were considered the same kingdom.  Some came with Duarte Coelho, the first captaincy of Brazil.  Coelho himself gave land grants for the construction of sugar mills to New Christians.

In the early years, and for almost half a century, Brazil was something of a haven for the New Christians.  The wealth and competency of the Jews mattered more to the early colonizers than faith.  In a short time they got rich and were well integrated in society.  In Olinda, one of the first urban settlements of the New World, Christians and Jews, passing for Christians, lived together.

When the Inquisition finally came to Brazil in 1593, and the accompanying denunciations began, the time of living in close proximity with each other resulted in great problems for many Jews.  They fact that everyone knew the details of each others’ lives turned out to be a curse.  Fear and mistrust soon gripped the city, dividing those who had lived in relative peace.

The Inquisition came and went, but fear and mistrust between old and new Christians lingered.

The Second Wave of Jewish Settlers

In 1630 the heavily-armed, Dutch-owned West Indies Company came to Pernambuco.  With it came many Jews, a number of which were the relatives of those who had fled Spain and Portugal for Amsterdam over a century earlier.  The Dutch abandoned and burnt Olinda in 1631, settling instead in Recife, believing the port to be of greater strategic and commercial importance.  The Jews at that time settled in Goat Street, also known as Jew Street.  The street was almost entirely occupied by Jews, and a synagogue was established, the first in the Americas. The Dutch, being far more tolerant, permitted the freedom of religious worship.

Freedom Lost

With the departure of the Dutch Governor Mauricio Nassau in 1644, the freedoms enjoyed by the Jews began to diminish immediately. This happened as the Portuguese fought many battles to regain control.  During this time starvation was a real problem, but greater problems faced the Jews in 1654 when the Portuguese-Brazilians won the battle, and Jews were given three months to leave, unless they pledged allegiance to Portugal.  The dream of freedom and a good life was over.

Of the city’s 600-plus Dutch Jews, most decided to return to Holland despite large financial losses from the hasty sale or abandonment of property.  Sixteen Dutch and Portuguese ships were used to resport them back to Holland.  Of these, fifteen made the crossing safely, but one had difficulty. It was captured by Spanish pirates before being set free by a French ship which took them to New Amsterdam, now New York.  The refugees, 23 men women and children arrived in Manhattan in the first week of September 1654 after a nine-month journey.

The Jews in New York

The new land was no paradise for those first settlers.  They did not win their freedom easily.  They arrived when Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch governor, was in power.  Being anti-Semitic, he did all in his power to make life difficult for the refugees.  They were ordered to pay the French captain that got them to New Amsterdam the price of their journey within four days.  Being unable to do so, their property was auctioned.  Money raised in the auction was insufficient, and they were then arrested until the debt was paid.

Stuyvesant was not alone.  He was supported by the Calvinist reverend John Megapolensis, who questioned the religious freedom of the Jews.  Stuyvesant was relentless, banning them from the Guard of the Volunteer House, which excluded them from community life, then charging them a special tax to pay for their replacement in the guard.

Asher Levy fought for Jewish rights and won concessions from the Dutch, but swore allegiance to the English following the conquest by them in 1664.

The Jews in Brazil Today

It was not until 1773 that Jews began to slowly return to Brazil, with a large settlement in Belém, further north of Recife.  In the ensuing years there was a steady stream of Jewish immigrants, the first of which tried to make a go of it in agriculture in the southern part of Brazil, but that never really got off the ground.  The principal benefit was the removing of all restrictions on Jews immigrating to Brazil.

During the late 1800s and early 1900’s, Jews continued to immigrate and settle in Brazil primarily in Porto Allegre and other southern cities.  Today, it is estimated that there are around 100,000 Jews in Brazil, and they are active in politics, sports, academia, trade and industry, and are integrated into all aspects of Brazilian life. The largest number live in San Paulo, and there is a Jewish section of the city where even shop signs and other identifying markers are in Hebrew and Portuguese.  Other significant communities of Jews exist in Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais and Paraná.  At the present time, there are about 2000 Jews who live in the Recife area.

Recife Guide will soon offer a New Tour: The Jews in Pernambuco. It will visit the important sights in Recife and Olinda which will bring to life the story of the Jews described above, and in far greater detail. For more information about this tour, e-mail  tours@recife.pearltravelguides.com

Before the 9,000-apartment, red-brick housing development across Fourteenth Street opened in 1947, a small walk-up tenement at 219 Avenue B had the Stuyvesant name on its far more humble facade.

“Stuyvesant Apartments” is serious faded and covered in grime, but it was constructed in 1910, predating Stuy Town by 37 years.

There’s a lot of Stuyvesant in the vicinity: Stuyvesant Street near St. Mark’s Church, the old Stuyvesant High School building on East 15th Street, and Stuyvesant Square off Second Avenue in the teens.

No wonder: Petrus Stuyvesant, the Dutch-born director-general of New Netherland, had his farm—or bouwerie—here in the 1600s.

St. Mark’s Church has stood at Second Avenue and 10th Street since 1799. Before that, in 1660, a much smaller family chapel was put up by Peter Stuyvesant, governor of New Amsterdam who owned the farm—or “Bouwerie”—on that site.

This 1853 illustration, from Valentine’s City of New York Guide Book, shows the current church building with its Greek Revival steeple, just before a portico was added in 1854. Hmm, was the East Side still so bucolic back in the middle of the 19th century? This depiction seems like a bit of an exaggeration.

Here is St. Mark’s 80 years later, in 1936. The church looks kind of spooky and barren, the facade missing the stone and brick we’re used to seeing today. 

St. Mark’s circa 2008, a lovely landmark open to the public and a reminder of New York’s Dutch colonial past. There are few other places in the city where can you walk along tombstones that mark the burial sites of prominent New York citizens of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan, by Beverly Swerling, is an historical novel (beginning in 1660 and expanding through the American Revolution) that incorporates two family dynasties among the characters…the Turners and the Van der Vries (the name was changed later in the book to Devreys).

This is a well-researched book that is filled with excellent historical value and factual information. Swerling recreates the time periods with fluid blends, giving our imaginations a peek at what life was like in the settling of “Niew Amsterdam” during the generations that span the novel. The novel swells with culture, both religious and daily life…we are shown the various dwellers that inhabit the Island, and how each one must try to come to terms with the ethnic environments that surround them.

Sally and Lucas Turner are brother and sister trying to make their way in the new world of Niew Amsterdam. He is a surgeon and sometimes barber, she is an apothecary. They manage to survive by helping the family of the Dutch Governor, Peter Stuyvesant, who is a ruthless and domineering individual. Lucas ends up selling Sally to Jacob Van der Vries, a heartless and cruel man. Sally never forgives Lucas for this, and thus begins a feud between the two families that lasts throughout the American Revolution.

The cast of characters flourish with flair and drama, skin color and diverse religions and backgrounds. Sally’s own great-granddaughter marries a Jew. From interfaith to interracial relationships and marriages, City of Dreams has it all. Nathan Hale and General George Washington are two of the factual, historical individuals who interact with Swerling’s characters during the Revolutionary War. The book describes the slave trade in all its ugliness.

From the beginning, one is amazed at the details that embrace the story, families trying to gain control, however they can, no detail is spared in conveying the situations. From brother and sister, who have close familial ties, to separations within families, each side feeling they are correct in their anger and beliefs, each side coming out somewhat the loser for their hatred. Swerling leads us through the bitter streets of “Niew Amsterdam” in this intense historical novel.

City of Dreams is a 150-year sweeping saga of family dynamics, relationships that cross the boundaries of race and religion, in early “Niew Amsterdam”. From love and loss, the tragedies and joys unfold before our eyes through vivid visions. I couldn’t put the book down once I started it. The tapestry of life that Swerling weaves is filled with historical richness, and is intriguing, filling all of the reader’s senses to capacity, and more.

Some readers might want to compare Swerling to James Michener (one of my favorite authors) in the way her story expands generations of individual families. I disagree with that, as she brings her own strength and resounding voice to City of Dreams, and to early Manhattan (which to this day is still considered by some to be a “city of dreams”). Her graphic details are amazing and I often found myself with my mouth open in shock and surprise while reading. Not much is left to the imagination.

Swerling has a flair for word-paintings that are so descriptive, it is difficult to stop reading, as one is consumed by her words. She writes of operations that are performed with crude instruments and no anesthesia (mastectomies, amputations, and more), and the reader is swept up in curiosity (mixed with a bit of horror), and is compelled to continue reading. We read about early medicine in the making.

The historical facts blended into the fictional are absolutely fascinating and mesmerizing. Beverly Swerling certainly knows how to hold our interest!

The City of Dreams: A Novel of Niew Amsterdam is compelling, and a compliment to any book shelf. It’s historical factor is well-researched. Such a story, such history, such characters, such vivid and rich pages, such a compelling tapestry of early Manhattan, such an author… Beverly Swerling!
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

The pictures are the same, but the book comes to life in a new way when Ms. Galligan’s kids read it out loud, and add music and video effects into the mix!

Watch the video:

• On the day Peter Stuyvesant sailed into town