Garrett Van Swearingen

• General Notes
  • Garrett Van Swearingen, son of Dutch noble family was appointed to the post of 'super cargo' for the ship 'Prince Maurice' which was ready to sail for America from Texel, Holand on 25 December 1656. The ship 'Prince Maurice' was stranded near the coast of Long Island on 8 March 1657. Shortly after the incident, Garrett Van Swearingen had to charter the ship 'Beaver' at New Amsterdam (now New York) for the voyage to Fort Casimir and surrounding area. On 25 April 1657, Garrett Van Swearingen and the Dutch colonists took Fort Casimir and surrounding area from the Swedes. As one of the founders, Fort Casimir was renamed as New Amstel (now New Castle, Delaware).
    Garrett Van Swearingen wrote the following letter:
    
    'New Amstel, December 8, 1659
    
    'NOBLE, WORSHIPFUL, WISE, RIGH, PRUDENT SIR: --
    
    'With due respect and reverence, have I hereby taken the liberty to greet you, though bound in duty of gratitude, to devote to you all the days of my life. ...I cannot neglect, hereby to communicate my promotion. About a year and a half, after my departure from Patria (my native country), with your Honor's faborable recommendation, I have been appointed Sheriff here subject to the approbation of the Honorables the Principals. Previously, I have taken care of the store as clerk; and after J. Rynevelt's death, as Commissary, from which I have not requested to be discharged, as I have, though unworthy, been recently made Second Councilor, with Sir Alexander Hinojossa, First Councilor, and Captain of the military here, who intends to go over in the Spring, to represent this miserable place.
    
    'If things become worse, I, individually, am ruined, for I have received here, some goods from my brothers, all of which I have laid out in a house, horses and mules, which cost me full, four to six thousand guilders, Holland currency.
    
    'Besides that, I am also married. ...
    
    'Herewith I commend your Honor to the mercy and protection of the Most High God, and remain.
    
    'Your obedient, humble servant,
    
    'G. Van Sweringen'
    
    On 20 August 1660, Garrett Van Swearingen and his family were granted permission to visit Holland.
    
    On 27 August 1661, the City of Amsterdam in Holland was determined to continue the colony at New Amstel in America. Garrett Van Swearingen was again appointed as the councilor.
    
    Also in a letter to Peter Stuyvestant, Director-General of the New Neatherlands from William Beekman, Garret Van Swearingen was called 'The Honorable President, Van Swearingen.'
    
    In 1664, Colonel Nicols of England, sent by His Majesty, Charles II, and his duputy Sir Robert Carr were to take over the Dutch colony at New Amstel. Garrett Van Swearingen made an deposition in 1684 regarding the conquest of the Dutch possessions at New Amstel by English...
    
    'In the year 1664, arrived Col. Nicholas, sent out by his Majesty, King Charles II, whereupon the Fort and country were brought under submission by Sir Robert Carr, and duputied with two ships, for that intent. Sir Robert Carr did often protest to me, that he did not come as an enemy, but as a friend; demanding, only in friendship, what was the King's own, in that country. There was taken from the City and the inhabitants thereabout, to the value, so near as I can now remember, of four thousand pound sterling, likewise arms, powder and shot in great quantity. Four and twenty guns were, the greatest part, transported to New York.
    
    'The Dutch soldiers were taken prisoners, and given to the merchantmen that were there, in recompense of their services; and into Virginia, they were transported to be sold, as was credibly reported by Sir Robert Carr's officers, and other persons there living in the town.
    
    'All sorts of tools for handicraftsman, and all plough gear, and other things to cultivate the ground, which were in great quantity; besides the estate of Governor Debouissa and myself; except some household stuff and a negro I got away; and some other movables, Sir Robert Carr did permit me to sell.
    
    'Colonel Nicholas, understanding what Sir Robert Carr had got at Delaware, took all again from the said Sir Robert Carr, when the said Colonel came there again in person, as I was informed, when I was upon my way to Maryland.'
    
    Swearingen family tradition says that when the Dutch colony at New Amstel surrendered to the English Crown, Garrett Van publicly broke hs sword across his knees, and, throwing it to the left and right, renounced his allegiance.
    
    Shortly after the English's takeover of Dutch colony at New Amstel, Garrett Van Swearingen and his family migrated to St. Mary's City, St. Mary's County, the province of Maryland.
    
    On 13 April 1669, a bill was passed by the General Assembly of the province of Maryland for the 'Free Denization and Naturalization of Garrett Van Swearingen and others,' upon the following petition. The petition was transcribed as follows:
    
    'To the Right, Honorable, the Lord Proprietory of the Province of Maryland and Avalon, Lord Baron of Baltimore.
    
    'The Petition of Garrett Van Swearingen, Elizabeth de Barrette, wife of the siad Garrett, Elizabeth and Zacharias Van Swearingen, children of the said Garrett and Barbara ... all residents and inhabitanst of this Province, humbly soweth into your Lordship:
    
    'The Petition of Garrett Van Swearingen, was born in Reenstwerdam, Holland, under the dominion of the States General of the United Provinces: Barbara De Barrette, his wife, in Valenciennes, in the Low Countries, belonging to the King of Spain: Elizabeth Van Swearingen and Zacharias Van Swearingen their children in New Amstel, on Delaware Bay, then under the government of the said States General: ... and your Petitioners being now removed into this Province --- being invited to come and dwell in this Province upon confidence of your Lordship's Declaration of July 2, 1649, whereby you did empower your Governor to grant lands to any persons of French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedish, or other foreign descent, in as ample manner, and upon the same term, as to any persons of British or Irish descent.
    
    'And during their abode in this Province your Petitioners have been faithful and obedient to your Lordship's Law; yet for that your Petitioners are not of British or Irish descent they cannot take benefit of the laws and customs of this Province, as the good people of British and Irish descent.
    
    'May it please your Lordship, out of your abundant goodness and care, that your Petitioners shall henceforth be adjudged, as natural born people of this Province of Maryland, or as if they were of British or Irish descent as aforesaid, and that they shall be enabled to prosecute and defend all manner of actions and other demands, as liberally and frankly as if they have been naturally born within this Province of Maryland or were of British or Irish descent, any Laws or customs of this Province to the contrary notwithstanding.
    
    'And your Petitioners shall as in duty bound pray & c.'
    
    During the period of 1680 and 1692, the Upper House of the General Assembly of the Province of Maryland held their meeting at Garrett Van Swearingen's house in St. Mary's City, St. Mary County, Maryland.
    
    On 12 May 1684, Garrett Van Swearingen 'Of the City of St. Mary's, Gentleman, aged eight and forty years, or thereabouts,' made the deposition regarding the settlement of Delaware Bay and River by the Dutch and Swedes people.
    
    On 4 May 1686, Garrett Van Swearingen was made Sheriff of St. Mary's County, Maryland. Again on 12 May 1687, he was made sheriff for said county for another year.
    
    In 1688 Garrett Van Swearingen was appointed as Alderman for the city of St. Mary's, St. Mary's County, Maryland.
    
    Garrett Van Swearingen left a will which was written on 25 October 1698 and probated on 4 February 1698. He mentioned:
    
    1) 'To two sons, viz - Joseph and Charles, equally, and heirs, dwelling house; also the Council Room and Coffee House and lands thereunto belonging: 2) 'In event of death of both sons aforesaid without issue, said estate to pass to daughters (unnamed) by present wife' 3) 'Wife (unnamed) to have estate during widowhood, and she is not to be disturbed by children (unnamed) or sons-in-law (unnamed)' 4) 'To daughters aforesaid personalty; son Joseph appointed guardian of said daughters (unnamed)' 5) 'To priest of Romand Catholic Church, personalty'
    
    Source: 'Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2', 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 203-206.
    

Click here for details of Garrett's family with Barbarah De Barrette

Click here for details of Garrett's family with Mary Smith

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