Early trace
In September 1995, I had a message from Will Johnson on Saba. Referring to Lito Valls, he quoted information from him saying:
1660 Records in the Netherlands indicate the Dutch Reformed Church in St John's was organized. Hollanders from Saba had colonized St Johns before the Danes came in 1666:
Peter and Charles Simmons
Adrian Runnels
Jacob Leverock
Thomas Dinzey
Jan Winfield
In 1667 the English expelled the Dutch from St John's. At this time the Congregation had a Minister.
In 1719 a Dutch map of St John's harbour indicates a Dutch Reformed Church building, North East of the Fort.
This piece of information is not just thrilling, it is indeed remarkable! If these "1660 Records" could be found and the information verified, these would expand the frames of my W.I. Family History. Besides, all the family names do interest me in one way or the other.
The crucial question arise. Where did Lito Valls find this information? (By the way, is Lito a pet name for Rafael?)
He passed away a couple of years ago, I understand. Perhaps his research collection may point towards the origin of the information.
* Did Valls donate his material somewhere, or is it kept by the family? Steve, could you enquire and see if it is possible to locate his collection or/and the source?
* Ruth Low and Valls worked close together, for example when they wrote St John Backtime (1985). Is it possible that Ruth now anything, or could assist?
It must be said, the lay-out of Will's message is not so clear, and it is difficult to see where Valls quoted section ends and Will's own writing takes over. When questioning Will's information I leave the first piece, as this has to be more carefully examined. But what about the second piece then?
The area
The Virgin Islands were strategically situated in the frontier, where Spanish hegemony fell short to their ambition. The Spanish never saw its value, bussy as they were to exploit the mainland of central America. Hispaniola, later known as Santo Domingo, together with Puerto Rico formed the easternmost Spanish dominion in the Greater Antilles.
Further to the east, there are a cluster of smaller islands, which never attracted the Spaniards - the Virgin Islands. This became more or less a thorn in their flesh. A matter of whiping out nations - which challenged their supremacy - by raiding the area when they had the time.
Once, the islands might have been a stronghold for the indians. Later replaced by pirates seeking a refuge, while refitting or licking their wounds. No records have so far been found indicating a permanent settlement in the area.
In 1651/52 Williamson (1926:182), says Prince Rupert sailed through the Virgin Islands bound for Europe. He called at St Thomas for careening, which was made evident by John Jennifer's map drawn around 1687. This map is reproduced in VGT (1953:65) and shows the names of Prince Rupert's Cove located on the eastern shore of todays Hassell Island, as well as Prince Ruperts Rock across the bay. KMTR
The Danes made their first colonizing attempt of St Thomas in 1666, dated by Larsen (1928:18), as March 30th. The small colony soon gained advantage from the conflict between the French and the British, according to VGT 1 (1966:22-26). Some of the former settlers of British St Kitts as well as Dutch Tobago and Tortola found refuge in the Danish colony.
By early summer the governor had passed away. Shortly after three British privateers called at the island on their way to St Croix. They not only took provisions and gunpowder from the settlers, they left with British settlers onboard.
In 1667 Larsen (1928:19), says British ships called at St Thomas. The Dutch inhabitants were brought to Statia and St Martin, which had been captured by the British. In the second half of 1667 surviving Danes left the island. In 1672, however, the Danes were back and founded a new settlement. This time it was successful and would last for almost 250 years.
Between 1667 and 1672, St Thomas was under British control. There are no references to any settlement, but the island was occupied by a British force according to VGT 1 (1966:27, 57). Further, Governor Huntum and his people from Tortola plundered the deserted settlement. The British force left some weeks before the Danes arrived in 1672.
Knox (1970:48), on the other hand says the Danish on their arrival in 1672 "... found a goodly number of colonists already attracted to the island, and engaged in agriculture. They were principally Dutch, probably of those who had been formerly [in 1667] compelled to abendon the island, and who had now returned to their estates." Although without stating a reference, Rothe (1900:11), says the Danes took possession of St Thomas in 1671, after the British had expelled Dutch settlers and finally abandoned the island.
The British were interested in the harbour of St John, which were on the route between the Leewards and Jamaica. Its harbour was considered as one of the best in the area. The British harassed and threatened the Danes, whenever they attempted to occupy St John.
VGT 1 (1966:216ff), says the Danes had stationed a small guard on St John already in 1675, and in 1684 the British even expelled Danes from the island. From the mid 1680's the Danes did not challenge their British neighbours, until March 28th, 1718 when the Danes hoisted their flag on St John. As a whole, it never came to open hostilities, although frequent incidents occurred.
Table - Some foreign settlers on St Thomas under Danish rule
| Name |
Year |
Ref. |
Particulars |
First settlement 1666-1667 |
| Brouer, Jan1 |
1666 |
VGT 1 (1966:22) |
Former Governor of Dutch Tobago. |
| Palmer, Ralph |
1666 |
VGT 1 (1966:22) |
Former Captain of British St Kitts. |
Second settlement 1672- |
| Baggaert, Carel2 |
(1673) |
VGT 1 (1966:95) |
A runaway from Vlissingen, and one of the first settlers from Tortola. |
| Jansen, Pieter3 |
1677 |
VGT 1 (1966:96) |
A Dutchman connected with Baggaert. |
| van Ockeren, Simon |
(1673) |
VGT 1 (1966:64) |
Former settler of Tortola. |
| Hontum |
? |
Larsen (1928:26) |
Former Gouvernor of Tortola. |
| Beverhoudt, Jannis van |
? |
Larsen (1928:26) |
From Tortola. |
| Grippekow, Johannes van |
? |
Larsen (1928:27) |
|
Note
1 Spelt Brouner by Larsen (1928:19).
2 The first proclamation was issued on August 8th, 1672. A committee had been appointed to sign together with the Gouvernor, according to Larsen (1928:23). Among them were Carl Baggaert, Thomas Swain, Adrian de Vos, Anthoni Salomons, A. Begaret, Christian Wadts, Joost van Campenhout. Also Rasmus Bladt and Hans Poulsen.
3 Came to St Thomas in 1678 from Curacao, according to Larsen (1928:31).
4 Added on February 17th, 1999; Compare Tax Roles 1672-1680.
|
So my conclusion is. It is possible, although it more likely concerned St Thomas. Frankly speaking, as long as the information is not verified, there is no ground for such a statement.
A Dutch map & the church building
What about the third part of Valls information, the "1719 Dutch Map of St John's Harbour"? There are few early maps of St Thomas, which are commonly known. And of Dutch chartographers I only know of van Keulen. His map of St Thomas from 1719, is likely the same as the one mentioned in Will's message.
Further, van Keulen's map carries two enlargements of the Harbours of St Thomas and Coral Bay, on St John. But there is no sign of a church building close to Coral Bay Harbour, St John! This is found on the map of St Thomas Harbour instead. Here the building was situated north-east of the fort, just as mentioned by Will.
Likewise a sketch of Coral Bay by Duus, a ships-mate, in 1720 and reprinted in Hornby (1980:85), shows no sign of a church building! KMTR
VGT 1 (1966:82), states that reformed planters built a church outside the fort in 1674.
In the early days Knox (1970:138), says the congregation of the Dutch Reformed Church hold their services in a consecrated room in the fort. Prior to 1718, however, the congregation errected their own building on St Thomas. This building was located in "the savannah", to the east of the fort. When relating the history of the congregation, Knox does not mention St John at all!
My conclusion so far! If referring to van Keulen's map, then it looks like someone has made a mistake - thus the church building should refer to St Thomas, not St John.
From other sources
Until further we can summarize our knowledge of the DRC as I wrote in my letter of August 21st, 1994. Quoting:
*> (from letter)
The future
If not found in Valls manuscript collection, would it be possible to trace Valls' information which was said to emanate from the Netherlands? Well, last year I found a book at CBG in The Hague Onderzoek in Protestantse Kerkelijke Archieven in Nederland by J.G.J. van Booma (The Hague 1994). Page 91 indicates an archival group in "de Archieven van Classis Amsterdam", and specified as St Thomas, St Croix & Berbice 1710-1791.
These archives may be kept by: Gemeentelijke Archiefdienst van Amsterdam, Amsteldijk 67, 1074 HZ Amsterdam.
Further research in foreign sources might prove useful like:
- In the archives .... van Classis Amsterdam. van Booma (1994:91), says congregations existed in/from:
- Manuscript from an early traveller in the area, and "hidden" in archive somewhere. Did Lito Valls make any profound archival studies?
- Book relating to an early visitor in the area - Or describing religious establishments of protestantism? Such a book could be;
A History of the West Indies, containing the natural, civil and ecclesiastical History of each Island .... (Liverpool 1808, London 1810, 1811) 3 Volumes, by Reverend Thomas Coke.
Where did Valls go then? To the US (Washington) or Europe, and where? If he wasn't an "archive man", it is more likely that he got his information by corresponding. Again, we might find a clue in his material (manuscript collection).
Finally, I came across a reference to the book History of Religions in the Caribbean (1996) by Dale Bisnauth. It was recently published by Africa Word Press Inc., in Trenton, N.J. I will write to them and get a copy.
Table - Traces of D.R.C. Congregations & Records in the W.I. - an embryo
| Area |
Year |
Ref. |
Particulars |
| Berbice |
c1710- |
Booma (1994:91) |
|
| Curacao |
|
|
|
| Demerara |
|
|
|
| Essequibo |
|
|
|
| Saba |
|
|
|
| St Croix |
c1710- |
Booma (1994:91) |
|
| St Eustatius |
|
|
|
| St Martin |
|
|
|
| St Thomas |
1674 |
VGT 1 (1966:82) |
Reformed planters were in majority. They started to build a church outside the fort. (Source ref: RAD, V-gK 484, fol. 14) |
| c1688-1744 |
Knox (1970:137) |
"Old records", pre 1744, destroyed. Early clergyman probably Domine Oliandus in 1688.
Books of the Lutheran Church mention services made by Dutch clergymen 1688-1744, who was sent out by the Classis van Amsterdam.
Two pastors named Christianus Strumphias in 1712 and Domine Gronewold in 1718. Larsen (1928:26) |
| c1710- |
Booma (1994:91) |
|
| 1744- |
Edwards 9203 |
Register of members 1744-, m-film St Th. Library |
| Tobago |
|
|
|
Tortola |
|
|
|
Compare |
Jamaica, Long Island |
? |
Booma (1994:91) |
|
New Amsterdam |
1639- |
SIMERI 9406 |
The Church of New Amsterdam (i.e. New York City) was the oldest congregation in America. Among old congregations were Kingston, Brooklyn, Bergen and Flatbush (source; Mona Robinson in the Sunday Herald Times). |
New York |
1700- |
Booma (1994:91) |
see New Amsterdam, above.
(What does Stibbing say?) |
You are talking about the "van der Pool" family. Once it may have been their name, but was later transformed into "Vanterpool". At least that´s the name form we find down the islands in the 19th century. See my "Traces of Saban Records".
Earlier we find spelling variants as "van der Poele (1688), van der Poelen, Van ter Pool, vander Poelen, Vanderpoelen (1715)" as seen in my "At the edge of Horizon - Early population lists of the Dutch West Indies".
Once you talked about the "ROOTSWEB". If you get their REVIEW you´ll see that one of their editors is named "Myra Vanderpool Gormley". So this is probably another name form derived from a Dutch heritage "van der Pool". In my family history, however, I´m using the form "Vanterpool".
Eric (Simmons in Bloomington) has given me two references in connection with the Leverock and Vanterpool families.
First Eric´s mother was Estelle Vanterpool. She was born on Saba in 1890, the daughter of Ernest H.T Vanterpool (1852-1919) and his wife Elizabeth S.W., née Leverock (1862-1905). Ernest was a sea-captain, later he became a shopkeeper on Saba. He was a brother of Thomas Charles Vanterpool.
Se(BOOK; "Saban Lore" (1998 -3rd edition, page 36 and 65), by Will Johnson and
NET; connect via HISTORY/SEA CAPTAINS/CAPTAIN T.C. VANTERPOOL)
Thomas in turn married Joanna Dinzey Leverock (c1864-1890), a sister of Elizabeth above. So here we have two Vanterpool brothers who married two daughters of Lt. Governor Moses Leverock of Saba (in his second marriage with Mary Ann Winfield). Moses kept office from 1863 to 1875, when he passed away.
The family is pictured in Will´s book "Saban Lore" (1989 - 3rd edition, page 9). The photo is said to be taken in 1867 showing five children. But there were six children, so who is missing? The eldest?