Van Aken Family Bible Record and the Family in Europe and Pennsylvania

VAN AKEN FAMILY BIBLE RECORD AND THE FAMILY IN EUROPE AND PENNSYLVANIA compiled by Patricia Laic Hatcher; /vise, T his Van Aken/Aaken family lias been written about twiee, the first time in an article in a German publication, translated and published in this journal in 1980 and included in a 2000 compilation of PGM arti¬ cles on German immigrants published by the Society.1 In it the author mentions a receipt of payment for land in Pennsylvania made to the heirs of Jan Strepers, including “Claes, Annekcn, Willem, Agneta, Heinrich and Elizabeth von Aken, all children of Metgcn (Mechtikl) Kennling, a daugh¬ ter of Jan Strepers wife.’’2 These names are consistent with the surviving children of Hendrick' Jansen Van Aken as found in this Bible record and presented in the Genealogical Summary. The second publication was a 2001 book that focused on an eighteenth-century journal, which pro¬ vided substantial additional information, including correspondence to, from, and between Claes (who remained in Europe) and Hendrick1, sons of Hendrick' Jansen Van Aken. It also presented family trees obtained through research in European church records.' Patricia l aw Matcher is editor of both the Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine and the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. This Bible record was sent to a previous editor of the Record. The file included three loose original sheets (all hand¬ written, not preprinted) and two small pieces, one glued to a Bible page, photostatic copies of these items anil of the title page of the Bible (original not in the file), a hand¬ written transcript of the Dutch (without translation, possibly done by Kcnn StrykcrRodda), and notes of sources to cheek for an early New' York immigrant named Jan Cosier Van Aaken (which proved to be irrelevant). It is published with permission of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, 'lhe Bible was printed in Amster¬ dam in 166 i by Broer and Jan Appclacr. booksellers in the l’ijl-steegh. It is the version approved by the Staten (ienerael in 16 IB- 19 (i.c., a Reformed Bible). J. M. Duffin, I:C;SI*, aided immensely with the Dutch transcription and the translations incorporated into the Genealogical Summary and with his knowledge of early German¬ town. Carat marks in the transcription indicate interlined text in the original. i Wilhelm Niepoth, translated by John Brockic I.likens, "The Ancestry of the Thir¬ teen Krefcld Emigrants of 1683,” PGM 3 1( 1980):19 1 -207, included in Pennsylvania German Roots Across the Ocean (Philadelphia: Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 2000), 87- 1 0.3. Van Aaken was the only of the krcfcldcr group not to emigrate. 2 Niepoth, "Thirteen Krefcld Emigrants” (note I ), PGM 31:199. Dieter Resell, Brace New World. Rhinelanders Conquer America, The Journal of Johannes Herhergs (Germany: Martina Galundcr-Vcrlag, 2001 ). Some information from the family trees has been incorporated into the Genealogical Summary. The Bible rec¬ ord provides several dates missing from the family trees; when specific dates differ, this is pointed out in the Genealogical Summary. ' 102 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 16 (2009) 2009 Van Aken Family of Europe and Pennsylvania 103 Tin; VAN AKEN BIBLE RECORD All entries are in Dutch. Analysis of the handwriting indicates that the first entry was made by Hendrick. His youngest daughter, Elisabeth, entered the information about the births of Iter siblings seggen von Moocier [according to mother], then began keeping up the record, with final entries made by her widower, Paul Kripner. The sheets are stained on the outside edge, as if by water, but in most cases it does not totally obscure the handwriting. A transcription, without translation, is pre¬ sented below. The translated information is incorporated into the Genea¬ logical Summary. [first sheet, front is blank | | This entry is in Knrrentschrift, also referred to as Old German or gothic script, except for the place name Creevei and his signature, which are in Dutch script. ] 1682:d[cnl:22:Scpicmbcr hub ich Ent/.benantz, Myn vrow Metgen KcurlingR, alhicr In Creevel publick Getrauwt: Hendrick Janszen van aken | these entries, apparently made at one time, are in Dutch script \ Dit Syncle geboortc daagen van ons kindern volgcns seggeon van Moodcr 1683:23:7l,r bin iek Claas van Aaken gebooren 1 685:27:8'" Is Anneken Avan AaknA gebooren 1688:24:Mart Is Willem van Aaken gebooren 1690:1 7hl Is Itje van Aaken gebooren 1692: 1 8 Xhl Is Angcniet van Aaken gebooren 1694:17 9 " Is Jan van Aaken gebooren 1696:7 august Is Hendrick van Aaken gebooren 1 699:22 Janu: Is pielter van Aaken gebooren 1701:8 Mart Is Marikcn van Aaken gebooren 1702:10 Maij Is Abraham van Aaken gebooren Pietter, Mariken, en Abraham van Aaken Sijn alle drij in het Jaar 1702 gestorven Maar de Nette dag en uur Weeten Wij nict 1704:14 Mart is Marieken van Aaken gebooren 1706:2 X1" is Elicsebet van Aaken gebooren 1 7 1 i:2 1 febr des nagts ontrent half ccn uur is Onse Jan oner Leeden, out Sijnde 19Jaaren 3 Manden 4 daagen naa negen daagen sick geweesl is begraven te lansmeer in Waterland |second sheet, first side \ Claas des Savents ten I I uuren Anneken Savents ten 12 uuren Willem des Morgens ten 2 uuren Itgen Angeniet des Morgens ten 1 uuren Angenictgen des Morgen ten 4 uuren Jan des Morgens ten 6 uuren gebooren, Maar de andr Weete de uur Niet 1715 14 9br Is Mijn Vaeder Hendrick Janssen van Aaken Naa dat ontrent 1 1/3 Jaar in dinst buijten Landts voor de IIr Geeret Reesin is geweest; tot I.aetcn Aan lien Sieckten van 8 daegen genamdt de pluerijs, In den Heeren Entslaepen En Aldaa opt kerck hof begraven 10 i Pennsylt utnia Genealogical Magazine Vol. 46 1719 31:8br: 1 1celt het den Almagtigen God lie-lie It Onse l.ieve En Waarde Moeder niji dit Leevin in Si jn Ewig koninck rijk te liaalcn des Morgens ten half drij tinren Olid Sijnde vijfenvijftigjaaren, En agt Maenden de I leere geeve ons Mccdc Wat Salig is is begraven op het kaluysers kcrckhof in een liijgc graf den 4 9 hr 1719 1720:8 april lleeft het God den Almagtigen helieft van Onse AlicveA suster Eijtjc van Aaken naar Enstehte van 12 a 13 Weeken Aan de teeringe nyt dit Vergancklijke Leeven Weg te haalin En tot Sig in Sijn Ee Wig kooninck te Neemen En AisA begraven tot Lands Meer in de reformirde kerck in het grttaf No 1: Letter F op den 1 2 april 1720 ond Sijnde 29 Jaarcn 7 Maanden 8 daagen. |second sheet, hack side \ 1722:5br:21. lleeft bet den Almoogendcn God bchaagt van Onse Suster Mariken van Aaken na een Siekte van Ongeveer drij Weeken niji deese Weerekl tot /ig in Zijn Eevvig koonie krijke te haalen des Morgens ten half tien uuren Otid Sijnde Agticn Jaaren Seeven Maanden N Seven daagen en op Satcrdag den 24 dito tot Lansmeer in de kerck begraven voor aan degroote dour in te gaan aan De regter hand agter de pilaar Ondir de Steen gemerckt [symbols] ' die gekogt beb voor tien Jaaren mets soo heb daar voor Aan de Coster van gemeld dorp bitaald de Somme van |blot| galan Segge X5 1740 I 10 mo O.S oud Jaar Maand d: 47-1 1-23 l leeft bet de Heerren bcLieft ousen I.ieven en Waarden Suster Angenieta van Aken na een Siekten van om trent 9 weeken uijt dese wereled weg te nemen oud Sijnde sevenenveertig Jaaren Elf manden en 23 dagen Sijnde des midags om Een uur Ovcrlcedcn en ile vierden dag Smidags om drie uuren op vrinden begraef plaas begraven In Philadelphia In de province of Pennsylvania In Amirica |in margin, Dutch script \ born 1692— lHXbrNS died 1740 1 10/mo O.S buried the 3 10/m O.S 1742 1 1 4/m N.S 7 a 8 uren Is onse Ilroedcr Willem van Aken des Morgen stijse overleden In het provenierf huijs tot harlem op den 1 3 dato begraven 1747 2 1 4/month Is onse Suster Annckcn van aken na Een burst Siekten van 6 dagen tot Amsterdam overleden en Aldaar begraeven the 26—3 month 1753— des morgens om 4 Uuren is onse Broeder hendcrik van aken overleden en den 27 do op vrinden begraef plaats begraeven des namidags om vicr uuren |third sheet | den 7 der 9/m 1745 ben ik Paulus Kripner in bet lniwlijk getreden met mijn huijs vrau Elisabeht van Aken, publijk ge Traut in de vrinden vergaeder huijs Tot Philadelphia in de previns of Pensclvania Mijn Wacrve Huijs vrou Elisabet van Aken is overleden, in den Here out Slapcn den 17 of de 2 maant omtrent 3 uer achter Midag int Jaer 1761 begraven op vrinde hegraf plats Tot Philadelphia, out Sijnde 54 Jaer en 6 maanden en 2 dage Paul Kripner |t?]hen I der 4 mant is William Van Aken overleden en begraven in germantown in het Jaer 177.3. 1 file symbols are two sets of initials, the first ACVA |V and A written as one letter], written vertically, and the second MV A, written horizontally |V and A written as one letterj. 2009 Van Aken Family of Europe and Pennsylvania 105 I Slip of paper glued onto bottom of page \ Ick ondcr geSchrcevcn Pieter drewes: getroude man van de overleedene Hendrienavan l leekeren intjaer 1727 inde Maent A16A9br ende als Excuteurs gestelt heeft. over de nalaaten Scliap (ieorge liaaser F.n Jan Boom. In lien testament mijn als besitter en wetlijeke Iirfgenaatn. Over het Selve. Beckennewel lin deug delijk van het geene onder die voor noemde. Excuteurs berustende ie geweest onfsangen te hebben. Ende aan weeders Seijden met genoegen. voldaen Sijnde tot Securitijt vandien hebbe dit met mijn Eijgen band onder teekent om tebe vryden [back of slip \ voor alle aan Spraak door wien of van wien het mogt te weesen [ verse, transcribed version, with line breaks from original version l6 Die sijn Reegel in dese booken en niet in Sijn Selve will Soeken tont dat Sij verkeert en Mist Soekt Daar niet te linden is Want den Reegel Van ons Leeven is niet op pampier geschreeven rnaar int Innerlijk Verstant is onse Reegelmaet Geplant daarom Soekt niet als de Blinde die wel Soeken maer niet Vinde [annotation only in Bible record\ Anno 17 16 den 31 Augustus Hend’k Van Aken [annotation only in margin of loose slip| hebres 8:vs 1 0. GENEALOGICAL SUMMARY7 HENDRIC.KA JANSZEN VAN AAKEN, son of Janu Clafien and Gertrude — ,H ?— was born say 1657 (estimating marriage at 25); he was baptized as an adult 10 4th month [April] 1672 at the Goch |Prussia] Mennonite Church. Me died 14 9br [November]9 1715. "My father Hendrick Janssen van Aaken after being about I 1/3 years in service in foreign countries for Mr. Geeret Reesin until [lately?] a sickness of 8 days called pleurisy, fell asleep in the Lord and buried there in the church yard.” This statement concerns Pieter Drewes, husband of the late Hcndricna van lleek¬ eren, who 16 November 1727 appointed (ieorge liaaser and Jan Boom as executors of his will, with power over his estate. None of these persons are known to have any con¬ nection with the Van Aakens, so why it is in the Bible is a mystery. (> There are two copies of this text, one on a loose sheet of paper in Kurrcnt or Old German script in verse form in Hendrick's handwriting, one copied into the Bible rec¬ ord in Dutch script in paragraph form. They are not an exact match. Hebrews 8 verse It) is about the covenant of the Lord with the tribe of Israel, written on their hearts, which is better than the previous external covenants. The verse mentions innerlijk vvrnstant |inner reasoning or understanding!, perhaps similar to the Quaker Inner Light. All information is from the Bible record unless otherwise indicated. ,s Family tree in Pcsch, Brave New World ( note 3 ), 2 1 5. 9 Pcsch, Brave New World ( note 3), 21s, states he died I 1.12.1715. 106 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 46 Hendrick Janszen van Aken married 22 September10 1682 METYEN KEURI.INGK at Kaldenkirchen1 1 Reformed, daughter of Heinrich Kurlifi and Anna Doors and stepdaughter of Jan/John Strepers. She was baptized 9 3rd month 1664 at Kaldenkirchen Reformed.12 On 31 8br [October] 1719 in Amsterdam 1 * “our adored and worthy mother died, at half ten in the morning, fifty-five years . . . buried 4 9br 1719.” She was buried in the Karthuizer Kerkhof (Carthusian Churchyard) in Amsterdam.1 ‘ A German certificate obtained from the Reformed Congregation of Kaldenkcrken in connection with Jan Strepers’ land grant in Pennsylvania provides information about family relationships. 26 June 1726. Jan Strepers, who died at this place in the year 1715 the 6th of May, by his lawful wife Enckcn Dorsch had four own children, who together with the only and lawful daughter of said Eneken Dorsch in a former wed¬ lock and named Metjcn Kiirlings, and thus five legal heirs of all their goods by both of them left, all which aforesaid five lawful children and heirs have been baptized in our Reformed Congregation as appears by the Church Reg¬ istry Rooks, as follows: The first, a daughter, as aforesaid, named Metjen, baptized the ninth of March 1664, married the 22d Xbr 1682, with the respected Hendrick Jansen Van Aaken by whom she had 6 children, named Claas, Annekcn, Willem, Anganita, Hendrick, and Elisabeth. And the said Hendrick Jansen Van Aaken died the 14th Xbr 1715, and the aforesaid Metjen his wife on the 3 1st of 8br 1716, leaving their said six children, all of which are to this day living at Amsterdam.'1’ Of those six children, Angeniet, Hendrick, and Elisabeth came to Penn¬ sylvania, but none left descendants. Grandson Willem also came and did leave descendants. 1 11 Resell, Brave Ncie World ( note 3), 2 1 5, gives month as 1 2, but it is very clear in the Bible record. 1 1 Kaldenkirchen was then Giilich, later Prussia, a few miles from the border with the Netherlands. 2 file Bible says she was “of here.” Brave New World, 2 1 5, 234-35, gives the place, her parents, and her baptismal date, which is consistent with age at death in the Bible. Resell, Brave New World (note 3), 2 1 5, gives the place. * Copy of entry in burial register provided byj. M. Duffin, which notes that she lived on “Kortd Rrinz Gracin ' |now Kortc Rrinsengracht] (Record Group 5001, Archicf van de Burgcrlijkc Stand; Doop-, trouw- en begraafbocken van Amsterdam (rctroacta van de Burgerlijke Stand), Begrafenisregisters, No. 1173 Karthuizer Kerkhof (1719-1723), page 58. IS Certificate in the Charles Morton Smith mss 1:6, 7 (Historical Society of Pennsyl¬ vania), English text in Mildred Gosliow, "The Starne and Van Aken families (Starne, Stearn, Stearnc, Stern, Sterne) (Van Aaken, Vanaken, Vanakin) of the City and County of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania” (typescript, Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, 1965), 3.3 (PHI. #511,889, item 10). The request for the certificate must have specified the answers they wanted, because Mctgcn had actually had twelve children, only six of whom were still living. ' ' ' 2009 Vein Aken Family of Europe ancl Pennsylvania 107 Children of Hendrick' Janszen Van Aken and Metyen Kenrling/s: 1 6 i. Cl.AAS VAN AAKEN, horn 23 7br |September] 1683 at 1 I o’clock evening; died after 12 October 1741; 17 married by say 1723 ANNA VKIJIIOF. Children ofKIass van Aaken and Anna Vrijhof horn in Amsterdam:18 1 . Jan Van Aaken, born 16 July 1726. 2. Willem Van Aaken, born 16 March 1730. (See page 110.) 3. Annatie Van Aaken, born 18 January 1 7334. Margarietje Van Aaken, born 14 January 1736. 3. Hendrick Van Aaken, born 11 February 1738. (>. Willcmljntic Van Aaken, born 7 September 1739. 7. Elisabeth Van Aaken. ii. ANNEKEN VAN AAKE, born 27 8br |October] 1683 at 12 o’clock evening; baptized 13.04. 1710 at Krefeld Mennonite Church;19 died 21 4th month 1747 in Amsterdam, “after a lung sickness of six days.” iii. WILLEM VAN AAKEN, born 24 March, 1688, 2 o'clock morning; died 1 1 4th month 1742 at Harlem, buried 13th. iv. ITJE/ITGIJ/EIJTJE VAN AAKEN, born 1 7br |September] 1690 at 1 o'clock morning; 8 April 1720 “God the Almighty took our beloved sister Eijtje van Aaken for himself after 12 or 13 weeks.” v. ANGENIET/ANGANITA VAN AAKEN, born 18 Xbr (December] 1692 at 4 o’clock morning; died 1 mo OS 1740 “our beloved and worthy sister Angenieta van Aken after a sickness of about 9 weeks buried in Philadelphia in the province of Pennsylvania in America." |in margin| born 1692 18 Xbr NS. died 1741 1 Onto OS. buried 3 lOmoOS.20 vi. JAN VAN AAKEN, born 17 9hr | November! 1694 at 6 o’clock morning; died 21 February 1714, age 19 years 3 months 4 days, in I.andsmeer in Waterland (in the region of North Holland just outside of Amsterdam). vii. HENDRICK VAN AAKEN, born 7 August 1696; died at t o’clock in the morn¬ ing 26 3rd month [ March| 1733, buried on the 27th in the Friends burying Place. Henry Vanaken and Jane Goodson IJANE (MARSH) (MARRIOTT) GOODSON] had declared their intentions 28 4th month |Junc] 1743 at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.21 The marriage of Henry Van Aken of Phila16 Peseh, Brave Note World (note 3), 2 1 3, says that in Krefeld in 1689 l lendriek was a citizen with sons Claes and llenrich, but as the Dibit- shows, his second son was Willem, and the document was either misread or is incorrect. 17 Date of his last letter (Peseh, Brave New World [note 3 1. 36-37). lls birth dates are from Doopsgczind kerk, Lam cn Toren (Lamb and Tower, Mennon¬ ite|, page I38/I3 i, #3-10 (FHL #114,963, items 2-3). Mennonites believed in adult baptism; these are births in a family group in the register. Peseh, Brave New World (note 3), 216, names these children, indicating the last three died in July 174 I, but does not have exact dates for them. There is no Amsterdam record for Elisabeth, who Peseh indicates was born about March 1741. The Van Aken name is not uncommon in Amsterdam (online index to baptisms at stadsarehief.amsterdam.nl/arehieven/archiefbank/indexen/doopregisters/zoek), which includes several families in the Mennonite church in which the mother or father is named Van Aken; none of them have an obvious place in this family. 19 baptism from Peseh, Brave Neie World (note 3), 216. The date difference is because the birth was in Europe and the death in America, with the accompanying difference in calendars. 21 “Early Minutes of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting,” PGM 9(1925): 170. 2(1 108 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 46 dclphia shopkeeper and Jane Godson of Philadelphia widow, 22 6th month [August] 1745 in a public meeting was witnessed by (signing in the column for relatives) Eliza Van Aken, Hli/’a l.ueken, John Warder, I.ydia Warder, and Joseph Stretch."’ Jane was the daughter of Richard and Jane (Jay) Marsh of Hendon, co. Middlesex, England; widow first of Isaac Marri¬ ott"' and second of Job Goodson; and died 23 November 17-16. Henry applied 25 1st month |March] 1748 for a certificate to Abington Monthly Meeting to marry.-'1 Henry Van Aken of the City of Philadelphia merchant married IS 4th month (June] 1748 at Abington REBECCA JOHNSON of Germantown.26 Rebekah VanAkcn was received at Philadelphia from Abington 28 2nd month I April] I748.2 Rebecca and son Paul received certificate to Abington .SO Sth month IJuly] 1 760.2H By 14 February 1765 she had remarried, apparently unwisely, and was deceased. John Johnston of Germantown and others petitioned the Pennsylvania Assembly for “An Act to declare anil make void the pretended marriage of Rebecca Vanakin with a certain John Martin,” but the governor refused to sign the bill from the House.26 Her estate was not administered until IS February 1797.'11 An ad placed by Henry in the Pennsylvania Gazelle on 18 February 1746 stated that his business on Chesnut Street sold coffee, coffee-mills, teakettles, looking glasses, etc.; he also advertised land for sale, including lots in Germantown.'1 22 Marriage Certificates, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, 202 (Fill. #20,467). 23 Jane Marriot, Gutcrshcdgc parish of Hendon, Middlesex, daughter of Richard and Jane Marsh going to her husband Isaac, certificate dated 2 2nd month |April] 1712 (MR Ph.396 microfilm, certificates received, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, #127). Jane Marsh, daughter of Richard Marsh of Page Street, parish of Hendon, married 0 4th month IJune] 1709 at Mill Hill Isaac Marryott, carpenter of Mill Hill, son of John Marryott of Charlebury, eo. of Oxen (Oxfordshire]; Richard Marsh of the parish of Hendon had married 18 6th month |August| 1080 in Hendon Jane Jay, late of Bishop Stafford (Bishop’s Stortford]; Jane Marsh, daughter of Richard and Jane, was born .31 6th month |August] 1087 in Hendon parish (Quaker Digest Registers of Births, Marriages, and Burials for England and Wales, eirea 1030-1837, London and Middlesex (World Microfilms of records at Friends House Library, London]). 2 i William Wade Itinshaw, Encyclopedia of American (Junker Genealogy, 0 volumes (Ann Arbor; Edwards Brothers, 1936-50), 2: (29, 334, 390; Philadelphia events recorded at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting . Jane married Job Goodson 8 2nd month |April| 1723. 2<i "Fairly Minutes of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting,” PGM 9( 1926):244; wife-to-be not named. 26 Van Aken-Johnson recorded certificate, Abington Monthly Meeting, Marriages, 76 (1111. #21,673). Witnesses in the relatives were column Derick Johnson, Margret John¬ son, Paul Kripner, Elizabeth Kripner, Jn'o Johnson, Agnis Johnson, Rieh’d Johnson, Tho's Ncdrow, Casper Wistar, and Cather’n Wistar. There was apparently a family con¬ nection through Paul Kripner— Richard Johnson and Rebecca Johnson had signed in the column for relatives at Elisabeth Van Alien’s marriage, three years earlier. 2" Hinshaw, Quaker Genealogy (note 24), 2:67.3. 26 Hinshaw, Quaker Genealogy ( note 24 ), 2:073. 26 Pennsylvania Archives, Eighth Series, 7:3744, 3780, 3781; 8:0807, 0841. 0842, 6843, 6843, 0832, 6833, 0836, 6891, 0892. Administrations 11:262, cited in Goshow, "Startle” (note 13), 4 1-42. 1 Kenneth Scott, Abstracts from lien Franklin's "Pennsylvania Gazette,” I7JS- 17 i8 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1973), 343, 333, 372. ' 2009 Van Aken Family of Europe and Pennsylvania 109 Henry Van Akcn of the City of Philadelphia, merchant, in his will writ¬ ten 2 December 1751, named wife Rebecca, brothers-in-law Rich’d John¬ son, Thomas Newdrow, and Paul Kripner, and son Paul.'Chilel of Hendrick ran Atiken and Rebecca Johnson:" I . Paul Van Akcn, horn 1 749-51; died underage.'' 1 viii. PiF.rrER VAN AAKEN, born 22 January 1699; died in 1 7()2.'s ix. MARIKEN VAN AAKEN, born 8 March 1701; died in 1702. x. ABRAIIAM VAN AAKEN, horn It) May 1702; died in 1702. xi. MARIEKEN VAN AAKEN, horn 14 March 1704; died 21 5br [May] 1722 "Almighty Cod took our sister Mariken van Aaken tiller a sickness of about three weeks, at half past ten in the morning, age eighteen years seven months'” seven days”; buried Saturday, the 24th. xii. EUESEBET/EUSABETH VAN AAKEN, horn 2 Xbr |December] 1706; died in the third hour in the afternoon 17 2nd month [February] 1761 in Phila¬ delphia, aged 54 years 6 months 2 days,' recorded at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting;'8 married 7 9th month [November] 1745 PAOLOS KRIP¬ NER. Paul Kripner and Elizabeth Vanaken had declared their intentions 27 7th month [September] 1715 at Philadelphia Monthly Meeting.'9 The mar¬ riage certificate of Paul Kripner of Philadelphia shopkeeper and Iili/.' a Van Aken of Philadelphia, at a public meeting 7 9th month [November] 1745, was signed by relatives Henry Van Aken, Jane Van aken, Jno Kirk, Sarah Kirk, Rieh’d Johnson, and Rebekah Johnson. 1,1 Paulus, who was a Friend from Amsterdam, had produced a letter of good character at the Philadel¬ phia Monthly Meeting 27 7th month |September] 1734, signed by three friends in London.11 Paul married second 9 9th month IScptember] 1762 Susanna Head, daughter of John,1’ who died between 27 April 1791 (will) and .30 November 1793 (probate).1' The burial of Paul Kripner, i 4th month |April] 1776, age 80, was recorded at Philadelphia Monthly Meet¬ ing.11 The will of Paul Crcpner of Philadelphia, gentleman, written 7 June 1775, names wife Susanna and, among others, Ann, Susanna, Margaret and ,s Paul Vanakin, each described as a child of William Vanakin, deceased. <2 Philadelphia County Wills K:60 (fill. #2 1 ,724 ). .4.4 Since Jane was married the first time by 1712, she would have been too old to be the mother of Paul. Vi See discussion in Coshow, "Starne" (note 15), 41 -42. The Bible record for these three deaths says maar tic netle dan l'" 1/111 u’eeten u'ij niet |but the exact day and hour we do not know). The number of months is not compatible with the birth and death dates. 47 This calculates to a birth 15 October 1706, but with adjustment for the calendar change, the two dates match. '8 llinshaw, Quaker Genealogy (ncAe 24), 2:387. '9 “Early Minutes of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting,” PGM 9(1925); 171. 10 Marriage Certificates, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, 205 (Fill. #20,467). 11 llinshaw, Quaker Genealogy ( note 24), 2:575. |2 llinshaw, Quaker Genealogy (note 24 ), 2:575. 44 Philadelphia County Wills W:620-22 (FHL #21,730). 4 i llinshaw, Quaker Genealogy (note 24), 2:387. See Coshow, “Starne'' (note 15), 1 345 for additional information on Paul. Philadelphia County Wills 0:278-79 (FI 11. #2 1 ,727). " '” I 10 Pennsylt >ania Genealogical Magazine Vol. 46 WILLIAM VAN AKLN There are several records for a William Van Aken in Pennsylvania, with children, that cannot belong to Willem, son of Hendrik Janszen van Aken (as erroneously assigned by Pesch). *6 ■ ■ * 6 September 1760. William Van Aken witnessed the will of George Ileysler of Germantown. William proved the will 24 September 1760. 17 14 December 1766. William Van Akin and John Gorgas witnessed the will of Joseph Gorgas of Germantown, miller; both witnesses proved the will 10 Janu¬ ary 1767.lH IS March 1767. Jacob Rittenhouse and William Vanaken witnessed the will of Tielman/Dielman Smull of Philadelphia County, cooper; both witnesses proved the will 25 March 1767. iy The Bible record states that Willem son of Hendrik Janszen died 1 1 4m NS [April | 1742 in Harlem. It also states, in the same paragraph as Elisabeth's death and still in Paul's handwriting, that William Van Aken died 1 4th month [April] 1773 and was buried in Germantown. The existence of William’s children is established by the 1 77S will of Paul Crepner [who was first married to Hendrik's daughter Elisabeth1]. It lists Ann, Susanna, Margaret and Paul Vanakin (each described as a child of William Vanakin, deceased).s" The 27 April 1791 will of Paul’s widow, Susanna Kripner, mentions many persons, including Margaret and Ann Van Aken, two of the daughters of William Van Aken, deceased (land in Germantown as tenants in common, but not as joint tenants), and Han¬ nah Beck another daughter of William Van Aken, deceased (A‘S()).,i WILLEM VAN AKEN was born say 17.30 (estimating marriage at 25). The only known candidate for him in this family is Claas’s son, who was born in 17.30 in Amsterdam and for whom there are no Amsterdam records as a father. William Van Aken died I 4th month [April] 1773 and was buried in Germantown (Bible). 1(1 Pesch, Brave Neil' World (note 5), 216, incorrectly indicates Willem son of Hen¬ drik married 26.5.1755, died between 13.12.1766 and 07.06.1775, and had four chil¬ dren |sources not given], but as the Bible proves, these events were not for this Willem. It is unclear why they were even included in the family trees: Willem would have been a very unlikely sixty-seven at marriage, plus elsewhere (pages 55-50) is a discussion of the plans only of Hendrick and two of his sisters to go to Pennsylvania, with no men¬ tion of William. Goshow, “Starnc" (note 15), after completing her typescript changed her original opinion that William, Henry, and Elizabeth were siblings and suggested that William was younger and perhaps a nephew. i" Philadelphia ( lounty Wills L52.3 ( I I II. *2 1 ,725 ). tH Philadelphia County Wills 0:85 (El II. #21,726). w Philadelphia County Wills 0:96 (El II. #2 1,726). s" Philadelphia ( lounty Wills Q:278-79 ( El 11. #2 1 ,727). Sl Philadelphia County Wills W:62<)-22 (El II. #21,7.30). 2009 Van Altai Family oflittrope and Pennsylvania 111 William Van Akcn married MARY GORGAS, both of Germantown, 26 May 1755 at Philadelphia First Reformed Church. S2 Mary Gorgas has been erroneously identified in publications and online.' The 28 May 1780 will of John Gorgas of Germantown, makes provision for his wife Rachel and five sons and four daughters (eldest son John, Benjamin, Jacob, George, Joseph, Catharine, Christiana, Sarah, and Susannah— omitting Mary), then states, clearly taking care of a widowed daughter: I also give and bequeathe to my eldest daughter Mary the interest of the sum of one hundred pounds in silver or gold yearly & every year during the term of her natural life and if the interest is not sufficient to support her my executors shall give her such part of the principal sum as they think fit and whatever remains of the said one hundred pounds after her death it is to he equally divided amongst her children. I also will and bequeathe to my said daughter Mary a small tenement in Germantown Township on the west side of the Germantown main street wherein Mary Sunday now dwelleth together with a garden formerly let with the said tenement to hold to her the said Mary during the term of her natural life. The identification is confirmed in a payment at the end of the account: for a legacy to he paid the children to Mary Van Akcn Mary was born about 1736 (calculated), which means she was a daugh¬ ter of John Ciorgas and his first wife Mary Walker. She died 2 April 18.32, aged 96 years.ss Children of William Van Alien anil probably Mary Gorgas i. ANN VAN AKEN, horn say 1756 (estimating marriage at 20); died between 10 April 1830 (will) and 26 October 1840 (probate); married by say 1777 (child baptized in 1778)s GEORGE WliNDER of Germantown, who died 6 November 1825, age 68 years, buried at Germantown Reformed Church. The will of Ann Wunder of Kensington District, Northern Liberties, men¬ tions real estate in Kensington and names children Ann Rea, Jacob Wun- Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series 8:738; 1' Edward Wright, Parly Records of Hie First Reformed Church of Philadelphia (Westminster, Mil.: Family Line, 1 994 ) 1 : 1 26. She was not the Mary, “now in the Monastery in Lphrata, &20, she to have &50 addi¬ tional if she leaves the Monastery,” named in the 1 June 1741 w ill of John Gorgas of Philadelphia County, skin dresser (Philadelphia County Wills, originals, #198; Philadel¬ phia City Archives). Goshow, “Starne” (note IS), correctly places her in the Gorgas fam¬ ily. Sl Philadelphia County Wills, originals, 1781, #45 (Philadelphia City Archives); recorded in Philadelphia County Wills S:44 (Fill. #21,728; used to replace text crum¬ bled away on original). Sandra M. Hewlett, obtained the Gorgas wills. Goshow, “Starne" (note 15), .55, citing a family record, probably copied from a fam¬ ily Bible. s<> Order from will; they were probably all born between 1756 and 1765. F. Edward Wright, ISIh Century Records of Germantown Reformed (Westminster, Md: Family Line, 1994), 42. Goshow, “Starne" (note I 5), 58; see pages 56-57 for more on this family. Vol. 46 Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 1 12 tier, William Wuntler, George Wunder, Catharine Miley, and Samuel Wunder, and granddaughter Dorothy Mitchell. ii. SUSANNAH/HANNAH VAN AKEN, married by 27 April 1791 (Susanna Kripncr’s will) ?— BECK. iii. PAUL VAN AKEN, married by 28 March 1801 ELIZABETH ?— ,(l() a step¬ daughter of Conrad Ax.61 iv. MARGARETVAN AKEN, born about 1763 (calculated); died 26Junc 18S0 in her 86th year |age8S|, buried in the Roxborough Burial Ground; married JOSEPH STARNE.62 On 9 June 1794 Joseph Stern |Starne| of Roxborough Township, Philadelphia County, and Margaret his wife sold for 3,50 to |hcr brother-in-law| George Wunder of Germantown, butcher, their rights in land belonging to Paul Kripner late of Philadelphia. — — Philadelphia County Wills li:.35i (PHI. #21,737). This would make her in her mid¬ st )s at death. on Deed from Paul Van Aken of Prankford, Oxford Township, Philadelphia County, vitualler, and wife Elizabeth (Philadelphia Deeds PP748 [Fill. #21,946|). 1 The 7 June 1803 will of Conrad Ax of Prankford in Oxford Township, County of Philadelphia, baker, names wife Mary and directs that she “may let my StepSoninl.aw Paul Vanakin have and occupy the house & lot which 1 rented of Yates's Estate provided and on condition that he pays the same rent punctually & faithfully and not otherwise” (Philadelphia County Wills 1:179 |1'HI. #21,7.31 1). (>2 Goshow, "Starne" ( note IS), 12, citing gravestone and family record; see pages 1 21 .3 for more on this family. 93 Philadelphia Deeds ICI:.S82 (ITIL #2 1,960).