| Notes |
- 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, 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.
- 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.
- Reyer Michielsen, named in some curious proceedings, under 1674, married, in 1686, Jacomina, daughter 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. De Voe’s farm. Reyer died in 1733, aged 80 years, having had eight children, to wit: Michiel, Reyer, Hendrick, Teunis, Hannah, who married Leonard Vincent; Mary, who married Benjamin Haviland; Sarah, who married Joseph Haviland, and Jane, who married 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 County, and other sections of this State, named Ryer, and Michael, or as also written, McKeel or Mckeel. The name Reyer is said to come from ridder, a knight.
source: Riker, James. Revised History of Harlem: Its Origins and Early Annals. New York: New Harlem
Publishing Company, 1904.
- 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.
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1653 - 1733 (~ 80 years)
[2, 3, 4] 
