Maria Williams

Other Events:

• Name: Maria Unknown
• Name: Marietje Hof
• Reference Number: 7558
• Baptism: 2 Aug 1698, Tarrytown, Westchester, New York, USA; baptized with 2 other children

Maria married Engelbert Hoff about 1706. Engelbert was born about 1680 in Norway; died on 21 Mar 1765 in Dutchess, New York, USA; was buried in Hopewell Junction, Dutchess, New York, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Greesze Grace Hoff was born on 10 Jun 1707 in Westchester, New York, USA.
2. Leonhardt Hoff was born about 1709.
3. Maria Hoff was born on 25 Mar 1712.
4. William Huff was born about 1714 in Cortlandt Manor, Westchester, New York, USA.
5. Anna Margaretha Hoff was born on 4 Oct 1716.
6. Helena Hoff was born on 16 Oct 1719.
7. Mara Hoff was born about 1724.
8. Johannis Hoff was born about 1726.
9. Abraham Hoff was born on 29 Mar 1729.

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 7557

Notes:

Birth:
date based on marriage

Robert married Grace Cerant on 19 Feb 1689 in Tarrytown, Westchester, New York, USA. Grace was born about 1664. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 7556

Notes:

Robert Williamse married Grace Cerant, the widow of Jean Beesley(beselie, beesly, beasly), 19 Beb 1689 in the NYC Ref Church. There are some references to her as Grace Haring, perhaps an earlier marriage? Her maiden name is in some doubt. Banns filed 2 Feb 1689. Baptism in 1712 has Robbart Willems and Maria Cenniff. Real question on her surname. Probably a French name which is difficult for Dutch and English people to understand.

Her first name appears as Grace, Grees & Greest.

Gressje Cerant (Grace Serant) was born in 1667, perhaps in France. She first married John Beselie in 1684. Gressje died in Tarrytown, NY.

Jean/John Besly/Beselie (c.1645, Rochelle, France - bef. 1689, Croton Point, NY), a fugitive Huguenot from the Isle de Re, two miles off the coast of Rochelle, France, possible, but unproven, son of Jean Besly & Louise Sauton, [Alternatively, it has been postulated that Jean was brother of Oliver Besly of Isle de Re.] With presumed brother or cousin, Etienne (c.1650), he emigrated to New York in 1681. Our Huguenot ancestor Rene REZEAU from the Miller line also fled the Isle de Re in 1685, eventually, arriving with his family in New York City. Here they joined the French Church, finally, they moved permanetly in Staten Island.

From https://minerdescent.com/2010/08/06/robert-willemze/

Gressje Cerant (Grace Serant) was born in 1667, perhaps in France. She first married John Beselie in 1684. Gressje died in Tarrytown, NY.

Jean/John Besly/Beselie (c.1645, Rochelle, France - bef. 1689, Croton Point, NY), a fugitive Huguenot from the Isle de Re, two miles off the coast of Rochelle, France, possible, but unproven, son of Jean Besly & Louise Sauton, [Alternatively, it has been postulated that Jean was brother of Oliver Besly of Isle de Re.] With presumed brother or cousin, Etienne (c.1650), he emigrated to New York in 1681. Our Huguenot ancestor Rene REZEAU from the Miller line also fled the Isle de Re in 1685, eventually, arriving with his family in New York City. Here they joined the French Church, finally, they moved permanetly in Staten Island.

Gressje Cerant’s husband Jean Besley had to sell his home in St Martin, Isle de Re and flee to America.

“Jean Besly marchand demeurant cy devant en la ville de saint Martin en L’isle de Ré, est aussy fugitif du Royanne et a laissé. -Une maison, une piece de terre y joignant situeéan lien des prises en l’Isle de Ré…”

“Jean Besly, merchant living formerly in the city of St. Martin in Isle of Re, is also a fugitive of the crown and at large. -One house, one piece of land there adjoining the seizure on the Isle of Re…”

Jean married c.1670 Grace (Grees) Cerant of/or Heering, presumably of French birth. Because no record of this marriage can be found in the early New York church records, it is likely that they were married before they embarked for America. Upon arrival, they moved north along the Hudson and settled “among the aborigines” near Croton Point, just north of the Croton river.

Birth:
based on chil starting 1684