| Notes |
- On Oct. 11th, 1671, John Archer executed at Harlem sundry new leases for farms at Fordham, viz.: to Hendrick Kiersen, Aert Pietersen Buys, and Cornelis Viervant; making the rent payable to Cornelis Steenwyck, of New York, to whom Archer, on Sept. 10th, 1669, had given a mortgage on his lands for 1100 gl. in wampum. Another mortgage to Steenwyck in 1676, for 2400 gl. Sewant, ultimately gave him the full title and possession of the Manor of Fordham, which passed under his will and by certain deeds to the Dutch Church at New York.
In getting possession, the church met with great opposition from the town of Westchester. This led in 1688 to a forcible entry by the officers and friends of the former. Elijah Barton, dwelling “near Harlem River, within the bounds of Westchester, at the house that formerly Aert Pietersen lived in,” was with his father Roger Barton engaged “to keep possession for and in behalf of the town of Westchester,” when on July 16, in the afternoon,” there came a great company of men with Nicholas Bayard of New York,” demanding admittance. This being refused, Reyer Michiels and Teunis De Key, at Bayard's word, broke open the door, and the Bartons were ousted and roughly handled. With Bayard were also Nicholas Stuyvesant, Johannes Kip, Isaac van Vleeck, Michiel Bastiaens, his wife, and sons Bastiaen and Reyer Michiels, Hendrick Kiersen, and Jacques Tourneur. Also “in the exploit” was Hannah (or Anna Odell) wife, of John Odell. Hendrick Verveelen and Jacob Valentine were there too. The Westchester authorities issued a warrant July 20, to “take the bodies of the said Reyer Michiels, with the said complycetors.” But the church maintained its hold, and the lands were ultimately sold off in parcels between the years 1755 and 1760.
source: Riker, James. Harlem (City of New York): Its Origin and Early Annals, Prefaced by Home Scenes in the Fatherlands; or, Notices of Its Founders Before Emigration. Also, Sketches of Numerous Families, and the Recovered History of the Land-titles. New York, NY: James Riker, 1881.
- Reyer Michielsen, eldest son of Michiel Bastiaensen, was b. at Schoonrewoerd, Holland, in 1653, coming in 1663 with his parents; he m. April 15, 1686, Jacomyntje, dau. of Jan Tibout, settling at Fordham, where he took part in building the church, of which he was an active member.
A mortgage given by John Archer to Cornelis Steenwyck, of New York, in 1676, gave him full title and possession of the Manor of Fordham, which passed under his will and by certain deeds, to the Dutch church of New York. In getting possession, the church met with great opposition from the town of Westchester. This led in 1688 to a forcible entry by the officers and friends of the church. Elijah Barton, engaged with his father, Roger Barton, to keep possession for and in behalf of the town of Westchester, when on July 16th, in the afternoon, there came a great company of men with Nicholas Bayard, of New York, demanding admittance.
This being refused, Reyer Michiels and Teunis De Key, at Bayard's word, broke open the door and the Bartons were ousted and roughly handled.
With Bayard were also Nicholas Stuyvesant, Johannes Kip, Isaac Van Vleeck, Michiel Bastiaens and his wife, and sons Bastiaen, Reyer, Michiel, Hendrick Kiersen, and Jacques Tourneur. Also, “in the exploit” was Hannah (or Anna) Odell.
The Westchester authorities issued a warrant July 20th, “to take the bodies of the said Reyer Michiels, with the said complycetors”, but the church maintained its hold and the lands were ultimately sold.
Reyer Michielsen died in 1733, having had children, Michiel, Reyer, Hendrick, Teunis, Hannah, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Jacomyntie, Johannes, some of whom being called Michiels and others Reyers.
source: Abbott, John Howard. The Courtright (Kortright) Family Descendants of Bastian van Kortryk, a Native of Belgium who Emigrated to Holland about 1615. New York: Tobias A. Wright, 1922.
- Reyer Michielsen, named in some curious proceedings, under 1674, m. in 1686 Jacomina, dr. of Jan Tibout, and settled in the town of Fordham. He took part in building the church there in 1706, and a stone bearing his initials may now be seen in the carriage-house wall of Mr. Moses De Voe, who took it from the foundation of the old church, which stood upon Mr. D’s farm. Reyer d. in 1733, æ. 80 yrs., having had eight chn. to wit: Michiel, Reyer, Hendrick, Teunis; Hannah, who m. Leonard Vincent; Mary, who m. Benjamin Haviland; Sarah, who m. Joseph Haviland; and Jane, who m. Benjamin Corsa. The sons of his son Michiel (being Reyer and Michael) retained the name of Michaels, but other of Reyer's sons took the patronymic Reyers. Hence have descended the two families of Westchester co., and other sections of this State, named Ryer, and Michael, or as also written McKeel or Mekeel. The name Reyer is said to come from ridder, a knight.
source: Riker, James. Harlem (City of New York): Its Origin and Early Annals, Prefaced by Home Scenes in the Fatherlands; or, Notices of Its Founders Before Emigration. Also, Sketches of Numerous Families, and the Recovered History of the Land-titles. New York, NY: James Riker, 1881.
- Ryer Michaelson, Fordham
Directs all land to be sold after July 1, 1746. Mentions sons Ryer, Hendrick and Tunis, and “Ryer Michaelson, eldest son of my son Michael,” and his second son Michael, “my daughters Mary wife of Benjamin Haviland,” and Sarah wife of Joseph Haviland, Hannah wife of Leonard Vincent, Jane wife of Benjamin Corsa.
Witnesses.
ISAAC TURNER
BENJAMIN BETTS
ROGER BARTON
Dated July 7, 1733.
Proved Dec. 20, 1733.
source: Pelletreau, William S. Early Wills of Westchester County, New York : from 1664 to 1784: a Careful Abstract of all Wills (nearly 800) recorded in New York Surrogate's Office and at White Plains, N.Y. from 1664 to 1784 : also the Genealogy of "the Havilands" of Westchester County and Descendants of Hon. James Graham (Watkinson and Ackerley Families): with Genealogical and Historical Notes. New York, NY: F. P. Harper, 1898.
- In the name of God, Amen. “I, Ryer Michelsen, the elder, of the Manor of Fordham, in the County of Westchester, being now about four score years of age, and of sound and perfect memory.” It is my will that my 3 sons, Ryer, Hendrick, and Tunis Michelsen, shall have the use and benefit of all lands, meadows, rights, and privileges in Westchester County, until July 1, 1736, and then all my lands are to be sold “for the most that can possibly be got,” and each of my sons is to receive £18. And all of my personal property of horses, cattle, and sheep are also to be sold. I leave to my eldest son, Ryer Michelsen, 40 shillings as a preference for his birthright. And whereas it happened that in the life time of my eldest son, Michel Michelsen, deceased, I was bound for him for his only debt to Benjamin Corsa, for the payment of £21, 8s., on or before February 17, 1725, the same is to be paid out of 1/7 of the money, and the rest is to go to his son, Ryer Michelson. I leave to my daughter Mary, wife of Benjamin Haviland, £5. To Michel Michelsen, the second son of my deceased eldest son, Michel Michelson, £5. And whereas it so happened, that for the only debt of my son-in-law, Joseph Haviland, I and Benjamin Corsa became bound to Michael Furman, “in the sum of 20 odd pounds,” the same is to be paid out of 1/7 of the money, and also an account of money which the wife of said Joseph Haviland is indebted to me, “and has left her cupboard and glass in pledge for the same.” And the overplus is to be paid to my said daughter Sarah, wife of Joseph Haviland. The rest of the money is to be divided among my 3 sons, Ryer, Hendrick, and Tunis, and my daughters, Hannah, wife of Leonard Vincent, deceased, and Jane, wife of Benjamin Corsa. I leave to my son Ryer, and my loving friend Peter Keer, executors.
Dated July 7, 1733. Witnesses, Isaac Turner, Benjamin Betts, Roger Barton. Proved, December 20, 1733.
source: New York Historical Society. Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1894. New York: New York Historical Society, 1894.
- Ryer Michaelson the younger, Frederick Michaelson and Tunis Michaelson, sons of Ryer Michaelson ye Elder, late of ye Manor of Fordham, yeoman, dec’d., to Benjamin Corsen of ye same place; land on Bronxes river, commonly called the Great Plain, within ye bounds of Fordham, Apr. 26, 1736.
source: Totten, John Reynolds, ed. The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Volume 53. New York, NY: New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 1922.
- Joseph Haviland; perhaps the one mentioned as Joseph Haviland, Jr., belonging to the Military of Westchester, 1715. In the will of Ryer Michaelson of Fordham, dated July 7, 1733, he mentions his two daughters; Mary, the wife of Benjamin Haviland and Sarah the wife of Joseph Haviland. It is reasonable to suppose they were the daughters-in-law of Joseph, Sr., but if so, Joseph Jr. must have m. twice, for when he d. he was of Woodbridge, New Jersey, and letters of Adm. were granted to his widow, Martha (?) Crager, Jan. 15, 1762. His license to wed her is dated Sept 30. 1752. He was a blacksmith and at one time lived in Perth Amboy. N. J.
Mary and Sarah Michaelson were the daughters of Reyer Michaelson and his wife, Jacomyntie Tiebouts.
The children of Ria Mekeel and his wife Yakamine, as given in the census of Yonkers in 1698 are: Mekeel, Sarah, Hannah, Geeny, Kamine, John.
Reyer and his wife m. April 15, 1686. He was from Schoondervourt and she from Brooklyn and they resided on the Harlem. Of their children the following were bap. in the Dutch Church in New York: Saartie, Jan. 30, 1689; Jannetie; June 21, 1693; Jacomyntie, Dec. 25, 1695. The other children were: Reyer, Hendrick, Tunis, Mickel, Mary, Hannah, Mary, and Sarah, marrying the Havilands; Hannah marrying Leonard Vincent and Jane marrying Benjamin Corson.
source: Frost, Josephine C. The Haviland Genealogy: Ancestors and Descendants of William Haviland of Newport, Rhode Island, and Flushing, Long Island, 1653-1688, with Special Records of the Allied Families of Field, Hull, Torrey, Willett-Willis. New York, NY: The Lyons Genealogical Company, 1914.
- LETTER FROM CHARLES HAVILAND MEKEEL OF ST. LOUIS, MO.
Reyer Michielsen Van Cortright was born in Holland in 1653, came as a child to America with his father, Michiel Bastiaensen Van Cortright, in 1663; married, April 15, 1686, Jacomyntie Tiebout, daughter of Jan Tiebout and Sarah Vander Vlucht, and settled in Fordham, N. Y.
“Reyer died in 1733 aged 80 years, having had eight children, to wit: Michiel; Reyer; Hendrick; Teunis; Hanah; who Leonard Vincent; Mary who married Benjamin Haviland; who married Joseph Haviland; and Jane who married Corson.” – From Page 297, “History of Harlem,” by Riker.
The surname I bear “Mekeel” is simply the phonetic spelling of the Holland pronunciation of the given name Michiel and originated from the early Dutch custom of neglecting the family name (which in our case was Van Cortright), and using only a patronymic, formed by adding to the child's given name that of the father's, with the addition when written of an “s,” or the affix “sen” for son. Thus – as I am descended from the oldest son of Reyer, whose given name was Michiel, his name was Michiel Reyersen – and though his son Michiel, who was then according to the same rule known as Michiel Michiels, which name was later corrupted into the phonetic spelling Michiel Mekeel, and was thus written on his Lieutenant's commission in 1776, which we now have, and is the earliest record of the present spelling of the name.
Relationship makes Reyer Michielsen Van Cortright my great great-great-great-grand father on both my father and mother's side of the family.
In as much as two of his daughters married Havilands at that early date, the Van Cortright blood must flow in the veins of many of those whose ancestry you are now tracing, and I have therefore been led to give you so much of what might otherwise seem foreign to your subject.
source: Frost, Josephine C. The Haviland Genealogy: Ancestors and Descendants of William Haviland of Newport, Rhode Island, and Flushing, Long Island, 1653-1688, with Special Records of the Allied Families of Field, Hull, Torrey, Willett-Willis. New York, NY: The Lyons Genealogical Company, 1914.
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1653 - 1733 (~ 80 years)
[2, 3, 4, 8, 9] 
