Steven Coerte Voorhees

Steven Coerte Voorhees was born around 1600 in Hees, Ruinen, Drenthe, Holland. He died in 1684, in Long Island, New York after immigrating to New Amsterdam in 1660. Steven's father was Coerte Albertse, Steven's grandfather would have been Albert. Coerte was born in Holland and died there. We know Coerte, was lived his whole life in Holland, had three sons: Albert, Jan and Steven. Albert lived at Voorhees in 1614. Jan lived at Middlehees from 1600-1638. Steven was the progenitor of the Voorhees family in America.

Steven was 60 years old when he, his wife and 7 children emigrated on the ship "De Bonte Koe" [The Spotted Cow] . There were 58 passengers on board ship. The boat left the port of Amsterdam and sailed the North Sea to the Straits of Dover, past Plymouth and across the Atlantic to the southern tip of Manhattan Island. The arrival was April 15, 1660.

Steven purchased land in Flatbush, Long Island several months after his arrival. By 1675 he owned 63 acres and in just 8 more months he doubled his land to 116 acres. He paid 3400 guilders for his original property and that is equivalent to $35,000 to $40,000 in the 1990s. Steven was appointed magistrate which is like a sheriff, judge or legislator. Appointment was made by the provincial governor, Peter Struyvesant in 1664. It was considered a post of dignity and influence.

Steven supported his family through work as a farmer and brewer. In 1683, he was manager of taxes in Flatlands. He built a substantial estate, which he bequeathed to his children in a lengthy document.

Steven was a man of piety, conviction and wisdom. He emphasized virtuous ideals later affirmed on the Voorhees family crest. The Latin phrase on the bottom of the coat of arms, "Virtus Castellum Meum" translates to "Virtue is my fortress."

In the late 1660s, Steven was appointed Elder or Deacon of the Dutch Reform Church. He collected and distributed funds for the village poor. There were 10 children born to Steven. He had 6 children with his second wife and they were all born after he was 60. He had 86 grandchildren. The children of Steven married into the "best families" of the settlement and appear to have prospered.

Brown Cow Ship

Voorhees Family Crest

New Amsterdam 1660