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Notes for Cornelis Maesson Van Buren:
Much of the following info comes from the following book - the History of Cornelis Maessen Van Buren - published 1913 - by Harriett C. Waite Van Buren Peckham, A.B. M.D..

According to the info in the New York State Archives, concerning the early history of New Netherland, the ship D'Endracht arrived in 1631, bringing persons under contract to the Patroon, Killian Van Rensselaer. Among then was Cornelis Maesen Van Buurmalsen. Buijrmalsen is a small village in Gelderland, near Buren, a few miles from the Rhine. There has been a tradition, although unproven, among some of the descendents that originally the family was one of the branches descended from the Count de Buren, whose daughter Anna married William of Orange and Nassau.

Taken from the translation of the Rensselaer Bowler MSS. :

"May 27, 1631, a number of persons, among whom was Cornelis Maeson van Buyrmalsen, signed an agreement for three years to Killian van Rensellaer estates for services thereon- to be paid 1st year sixty pounds, 2nd year seventy pounds, 3rd year eighty pounds, and in hand 12 pounds in advance."

August 12, 1662, Hendrick Cornelisen Maessen and Marten Cornelius Maessen, brothers, for themselves and for Maes Cornelisen Maessen, Styntie Cornelise Maessen and Tobias Cornellissen Maessen, their minor brothers and sister, all living in the Colony of Rensselaerswyck and children of the late Cornelis maessen and Catalyntjii Martense , who died in this country and formerely lived at Beuren Malsen in Gelderland, executed a power of attorney to Gerrit Cornelissen living at Tricht in Gelderland to recieve an inheritance left by their Uncle, Hendrick Maessen, who died at Cuij-Ontorch.

On this same day, (Aug 12, 1662), Jan Verbeeck, formerly councilor of the Colony of Renssellaerswyck, and Cornelis Theuenissen Bos , formerly a magistrate of Fort Orange (Albany), and the village of Beverwyck, made a joint affadivit that Cornelis Maessen and his wife had died about 14 years ago and were both buried on the same day, leaving the above listed 5 children, over whom Cornelis Theunissen Bos and Theunis Direxsz (Van Vechten), inhabitants of the Colony, have thus far been guardians. Cornelis Theuenissen Bos further states that he came to this country in 1636, on board the ship Rensselaerwyckin the services of Cornelis Maessen , serving him 6 years, and that Hendrick Cornelisen Maesson (the eldest son) was born on that ship, with the other children born in this country. Cornelis Theunisz is the same Cornelis Teunissen van Westbroeck who is first found in acct books of the date of April 8, 1637, almost immediately after arrival of the shop Rensselaerwyck.

Entries for supplies furnished to Cornelis Maessen on August 16, 1634, show that he was in the colony at that time. He evidently returned to Holland at the expiration of his 3 year contract, married there and then came back to this country in 1636. His 2nd son - Martin Corneliez has been confused by some with "Swarte or Black Martern Corneliszn (Van Jsselstyne).

In a letter from Killian van Rensellaer to Jacob Planck, his agent in the New Netherlands he writes as follows: these two farmers, who have been very helpful to me, viz. Cornelis Maessen, and Symon Walrichs, you will give me a fair choice of the men who are coming but in such a way that they do not select all the best men, for others must have something too. You will provide them with as many animals as can be supplied from the increase of the others, and in case they should want to settle on Paepzickens land, which I think has not yet been bought, make every effort to purchase the same or at best to cause the farmers to be established there with the consent of the owners. Later he frequently refers his agent to observe the same rules regarding selling or leasing land as was embodied in the contracts of Cornelis Maessen and Symon Walricks, dated August 15, 1636, in Amsterdam, which had resulted well to both sides.

In a letter dated August 4, 1639, from Killian Van Renssellaer to Arendtt Van Curler, he refers to the house of Cornelis Maessenwhich was being built." In a letter of June 16, 1640, he authorized Arundtt Van Curler to secure the assistance of various persons amongst whom he mentions Cornelius Maesson Van Buyrmalsen, to provide other farmers for the farms on which the farmers refuse to accept the terms of his previous agent, and to control all by the rules and ordinances and to obey him as Lord and Master (Killian Van Renssellaer). which obligations began with the arrival of Cornelius Maesson and Symon Walricks, agreeable to their contracts of August 15, 1636, in Amsterdam.

Willem Meynten served as a farm laborer under Cornelis Maessen for six years grom August 14, 1638, at wages ranging from 40 pounds to 60 pounds a year. Jacob Aertsz is charged in the accounts as servant of Cornelis Maessen.
Also, Jan Reyersz served Cornelis Maesson one and 3 quarters years.

The quotations from the van Rensselaer Bowier MSS. show plainly that Cornelis was not a mere ignorant peasant, but a small farmer of intelligence, integrity, and determination to securd for himself and family the best possible in the New Netherlands. and it likewise reveals that his ability had won him recognition from the Patroon and commendation of no ordinary amount.

The Patroon made liberal terms with his farmers, requiring a tenth of the produce of the farm. In 1644 it is recorded that Cornelis paid the Patroon one hundred bushels of wheat, oats and rye, besides a few peas, showing his thrift had been rewarded by a yield of about one thousand bushels. Apparently, the career of Cornelis was rather uneventful: he tilled his farm, and saved some, for it is recorded that he purchased a piece of property on Manhatten described as follows: " a house and plantation at the North River on the Island of Manhatten, next to Wouter van Twiller and Thomas Hall." ( Wouter Van Twiller was at one time Governor of the Province of New Netherlands and Hall was a prominent merchant of New Amsterdam). This farm was purchased of Volckert Evertsen, October 24, 1646, and aftrwards sold by Cornelius Teunissen (Bos) and Teunis Dicksen (Van Veckten) who were appointed trustees of his estate to the Hon. Rytger Jacobson, a Magistrate of Beverwyck, (Albany) for 1500 guilders or about six hundred dollars. It was located between the present Christopher and Fourteenth Streets with boundaries near to those streets and doubtless having a North River frontage.

As stated above, Cornelis and his wife Catalyntje Martense both died and were buried the same day at their farm at Papsknee, some time in 1648. Their effects were sold at auction Shrove Tuesday, 1649. Cornelis evidently died intestate, as Teunissen Dirchsen (van Veckten) and Cornelis Teunissen Bos were the guardians and were appointed also trustees for the estate as there were monor children. Cornelis Teunissen Bos later became a trader and at one time was commissary at Fort Orange (Albany).