Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Jacques Cossart

Male Bef 1631 - Abt 1685  (> 54 years)


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  • Name Jacques Cossart 
    Christened Bef 1631  of, , Netherlands Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died Abt 1685  Bushwick, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I3670  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family Lijdia Willems,   b. Abt 1634, of, , Netherlands Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. From 1686 to 1698, of Bushwick, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 52 years) 
    Married 14 Aug 1656  Evangelisch, Frankenthal, Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Lea Cossart,   c. 31 May 1657, Evangelisch, Frankenthal, Palitinate, Bavaria, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location
     2. Rachel Cossart,   c. 11 Nov 1658, Evangelisch, Frankenthal, Palitinate, Bavaria, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1663, Evangelisch, Frankenthal, Palitinate, Bavaria, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 4 years)
     3. Susanna Cossart,   c. 3 Feb 1661, Evangelisch, Frankenthal, Palitinate, Bavaria, Germany Find all individuals with events at this location
     4. Jannetje Cossart,   c. 28 Nov 1665, Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, New York, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 5 Apr 1736, New York City, New York, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 70 years)
     5. Jacques Cossart,   c. 11 Apr 1668, Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, New York, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 2 Oct 1758, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 90 years)
     6. David Cossart,   c. 18 Jun 1671, Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, New York, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. From 10 Jun 1736 to 30 Jan 1740, Bound Brook, Somerset, New Jersey, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 64 years)
     7. Anthony Cossart,   b. 14 Nov 1673, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. of Somerville, Somerset, New Jersey, United States Find all individuals with events at this location
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1543  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. The ancestry of Jacques Cossart, the 1662 immigrant to New Amsterdam in America, is Unknown. Traditional accounts of circa 1936 of the immigrant would have us believe he was baptized May 29, 1639 in Amsterdam, Netherland. (See both "The Cossart Family," by Joseph A. Cossairt, 1936, and "A New Edition of the Cossart Family History Originally Compiled and Published by the Cossart Family Association In 1939 (accessed online 21 Jul 2019 at https://www.wikitree.com/photo.php/e/e4/Cozart_Name_Study-2.pdf)
      There are two reasons why this ancestry is now proven wrong. The first is that the marriage age of Jacques, supposedly baptized in Amsterdam on Jan. 2, 1639, would only have been 17. In reality the 1639 Jacques died bef April 1640 when another Jacques was baptized to the same parents on April 15, 1640 -- which would then make him only 16 at the time of the marriage in question. Compare this to the average age of a marrying couple being 22 for the bride and 25 for the groom for this era in the Netherlands. (See https://www.olivetreegenealogy.com/nn/amst_marr.shtml accessed 23 Jul 2019.)
      The second reason is even more compelling. Since 1936, the history everyone had previously used was that our Jacques was the son of Jacques Cossart and Rachel Gelton and the brother of Rachel Cossart, baptized June 24, 1632; however, Family Search has now uploaded images of the actual baptism records for the children associated with Jacques and Rachel. The name Cossart or any variation of thereof does not occur in any record and we are instead looking at the records in Amsterdam of an entirely different family which we can now correctly construct from original records as follows (see Family Search for original records and images):
      -Jacques Visaar and Rachel Gilton married 23 Jun 1630
      -Rachelle, child of Jacques Visare and Rachelle Gelton bapt. 24 Jun 1632
      -Samuel, child of Isaecq Wisaer and Rachel Geltou bapt. 23 Mar 1634
      -Jacques, child of Jacques Visaer and Rachel Gelton bapt. 2 Jan 1639
      -Jacques, child Jacques Vesar and Racel Gulton bapt. 15 Apr 1640
      -Francoise, child of Jaques Bisar and Rachelle Gelleton bapt. 30 Mar 1642 (n.b. The letters V, W, and B were often interchanged in this era.)
      -Paul, child of Jacques Wisan and Rachel Geltooin bapt. 1 May 1644
      -Jenne, child of Jaques Visare and Rachel Guelton bapt. 2 Apr 1646
      From the above, it is clear that our history has been in error and we now need to seek an alternative ancestry for our Jacques Cossart who would have been born about 1631 or earler.

      2. FHL book "The Cossart Family," by Joseph A. Cossairt, 1936, PP. 9-12:
      "Jacques Cossart, son of Jacques (1), baptised at Leyden, Holland, May 29, 1639, and died at Bushwick (Brooklyn), Long Island, New York, about 1685. He was the first immigrant bearing the name of Cossart to come to the American Colonies. (See Baird's Huguenot Emigration to America, Volume 1, pages 182-3).
      He was received into the Walloon Church in 1657 and was married subsequently to Lydia Willems (sometimes referred to as Lea Vilman) and went with his wife to Frankenthal, Pfalz Province, a small Huguenot village in the Bavaria highlands where three of his daughters were baptised; in about three years he returned to Leyden where they were received into the church, and again left there on April 7, 1660.
      After taking their letter from the Huguenot Church at Leyden, Jacques with his wife and two children embarked on October 12, 1662, in the ship Pumerland Kerck, of which Captain Barentsen was skipper, and which on the 14th weighed anchor and passed the village on the Texel, bound with supplies to New Amsterdam. Of approximately ninety men, women and children passengers, the French composed a third and the Dutch colonists the remainder. Each adult was charged for passage and board 39 florins, children of ten years and under, except infants, half price, which was then considered a large sum of money. At that time a florin was worth about $1.60 of our money. The ship is said to have arrived early in 1663.
      The charges for their passage stand thus in the accounts of the West India Company:
      "Jacques Cossaris debet - Voor vrocht en cosight day hy A 1662, 12 October pr.'t Schip de Pumerlander Kerch, Schtppr Benjamin Barentsen, is herewaerts
      gecomenFl. 39
      Voor syn vrou 39
      En 1 kinder unter 10 jaren19 1/2
      T. FI 97 1/2
      Some of the other passengers who accompanied Jacques and Lydia to the "new world" were:
      "Claus Paulus and wife; Nictlas du put, wife and 3 children; Arnout du Tois, wife and 1 child; Gideon Merlit, wife and 4 children; Louts Louchman, wife and 3 children; Jan de Conchilier, wife and 5 children; Jacob Clopp, from Leyden, wife and 2 children; Judith jans, from Leyden, matden; jorsten Jansen; Ferdinandus de Mulder; Isaac Vermiel, wife and 4 children; Abolts Setshorn; and Claes Jansen Van Heynengen." (See Documentary History of New York, Vol. III, p. 60).
      The Latinization of the name Cossart, by the addition of the letters "is" or "ius", is not uncommon. A similiar change occured in the name of Francis Daniel Pastortus, the founder of Germantown, Pa. The late Dr. Learned of the University of Pennsylvania, on visiting the town from which Pastortus came, ascertained that his name was Pastor, and the "tus" has been added.
      The evolution of the name Cossart in the last 300 years makes a very interesting study in patronymics.
      The Dutch in their effort to follow phonetically the spelling of French and English names, have made it quite difficult in many cases to trace families. The Christian names were nearly always recorded in the Dutch equivalent, and some surnames as well. Jacques became Jacob, Jacobus sometimes James and occasionally Jacob. Pierre was usually termed or translated Peter.
      The Huguenots were generally well educated, and most of them came from the yeomanry, but as is well known, many belonged to manoral families. The social position of the Cossarts is evidenced from the will of David, son of Jacques (3), who calls himself "Gentleman".
      Arrival in New Amsterdam.
      The little town of New Amsterdam, nestled upon the lower end of Manhattan Island, presented a curious appearance to the strangers. Inclosed within the limits of Wall Street and Broadway, two hundred poorly constructed houses gave partial comfort to some fourteen hundred people. The Fort loomed up broadly in front, partly hiding within the Governor's residence, and the Dutch Church. The flag of the States General and a windmill on the western bastion, were notable indications of Holland rule.
      Upon his arrival at New Amsterdam, as the City of New York was then called, he and his wife Lydia Willems, joined the Dutch Church on April 1, 1663. The births of their children are recorded here.
      It is evident that Jacques Cossart was not a rich man; he with six other French immigrants sent in a petition March 19th, 1663, praying for a grant of land and seed grain with provision for six months.
      He was among those that took the oath of allegiance to the British flag when New Amsterdam became New York. That he was an honest man, and trusted by both the Dutch and English alike, he was subsequently appointed collector of the church tithes; and it is supposed that he remained a member of this church until his death which occured about the year 1685; for his name appears on the tax books for the year 1684 and his wifes names appears in his place for 1686 and the following years. For collecting for the support of the clergy he was allowed a commission of 4%, and for collecting for the support of the soldiers he was alIowed a commission of 7 1/2% on his receipts, with the provision that he make good from his commission whatever shall fall short'. (See Court Minutes of New Amsterdam).
      In October 1664 the names of Pieter G. Stuyvesart, Jacob Cossar, together with several others, swore allegiance to the British by the following oath:
      "I swear by the name of the almighty God, that I will be a true subject, to the King of Great Brittaine, and will obey all such commands, as I shall receive from his Majestie, His Royal Highness James, Duke of York, and such Governors and Officers as from time to time are appointed over me, by his authority, and none other, whilst I live in any of his Majesties territoryes: So help me God." (See Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New York, 1853; Vol. III, by Broadhead).
      In 1667 Jacques Cossart purchased a house and lot in New York City, the site of this property is now occupied by the New York Produce Exchange Building at the corner of Whitehall and Marketfield Streets. This is near the Bowling Green Park and Broadway. The tower of this building is directly over what was once the back yard to the property of Jacques.
      The following is a description of the property acquired by him, the location of which was in Block D, Lot 1. "April 5, 1667 - Confirmed by Governor Nicolls to Jacques Cossart (Patents Albany IV: 39).
      Recites transport Jacob Leenderston Vander Grift to Simon Jansen Romelin August 26, 1666 (See Liber B, New York Co. 101), and is by him since conveyed to Jacques Cossart.
      Description: South Side Marketvelt Steegh joining on the east to Nicolas Boot; on the south to Jonas Bartletts (Bartelste); on the west to Frederick Aertsen; and on the North to said Lane; continuing in breadth on the north and south sides 20 feet 3 inches; on the east side in length 48 feet and on the west side 45 feet 6 inches, Wood measure. " (See The Inconography of Manhattan Island. The Dutch Grants, Vol. II, at page 375).
      Sometime after 1673 Jacques removed to a small farm on Long Island at a place known as Bushwick (now in Brooklyn). After 1685 the name of his wife appears on an old church list as "Lydia Willems, widow of Jacques Cossart." The tax lists show that he first acquired about ten acres of land which was subsequently increased to about forty acres. Records show that in 1683 he paid a total tax on personal property and realestate of L 114. At this time he had 2 horses, 5 cows, 1 hog and 18 morgens of land.
      There seems to be no record of the death of Lydia Willems, widow of Jacques Cossart. Her name does not appear on the census returns of 1698, she probably died before this date. The church buildings have all disappeared and with them most of the church books and documents. The burying grounds have disappeared likewise, and no one knows positively where he or his wife were buried. One might hazard the guess that the place of their burial now lies under the paving stones or skyscrapers of Brooklyn, and not be far from the truth.
      In the Walloon Church records of Frankenthal, Germany, shows that Jacques Cossart and Lea Villemin were married there August 14, 1656.
      There was a tradition among grand-children and great-grandchildren of Jacques to the effect that he had two brothers who came to America. One brother remained and the other renounced his Huguenot faith and returned to Europe to claim the family fortune. If this tradition is based on fact, this may account for Jan Cossart, a wealthy merchant of New York City, who died there about 1700. His will is of record. And also for a Dr. George Cossart living in New York City about this time. There was a Joris or George Cossart who, it is claimed returned to Europe on a ship that was never afterwards heard from. The writer has never been able to connect Jan and Joris Cossart up with other members of the Cossart family and assumes they are the traditional brothers of Jacques Cossart.
      The children of Jacques Cossart and his wife, Lydia Willems (or Lea Villman) are of record as follows:
      CHILDREN:
      4. Lea Cossart, baptised at Frankenthal, Germany, in the Walloon Church, May 31, 1657. Is mentioned in the ship's log as aged five years in 1662. Her God-father was Philippe Le Febure, and her God-mother was Lea Lanoix, the wife of Elie Charteur (or Etie Chantem). This was the eldest child of the immigrants of which we can find no further record. It is presumed she died young.
      5. Rachel Cossart, baptised in the Walloon Church at Frankenthal, Bavaria, November 11, 1658. Her God-father was Eli Charteur and her God-mother was Rachel Willmin, a step daughter of Eli Charteur. We can find no further record of Rachel. It is presumed that she died in Europe prior to the emigration of her parents.
      6. Susanne Cossart, christened at Frankenthal, in the Walloon Church of that little town in the Bavarian highlands, February 3, 1661. Her God-father was Charles August, and her God-mother was Susanne Poland of that place. Susanne is mentioned in the ship's log as being 18 month old in 1662 when her parents took passage on the sailing ship the "Pumerland Church". We can find no further record of this child and it is presumed she died young.
      7. Jannetje Cossart, baptised in the Dutch Church of New York City, N.Y. , November 28, 1665. She died Circa 1736. Married Jacobus Goelet of New York City.
      8. Jacques (Jacob) Cossart, baptised April 11, 1668 in the Dutch Church at New York City. Died in 1731. Married Anna Maria Springsteen and they are the progenitors of the Coshow, Cashow, Cashaw, Kershaw and Kershow families.
      9. David Cossart, born in New York City, July 18, 1671. Was a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of that place. Died Circa 1740. Married Styntje jorts Van Horne and they are the progenitors of the Cossatrt, Cozatt, Cassat, Cassatt etc. , families. One branch use Cozart.
      10. Anthony Cossart, baptised November 19, 1673. Was a member of the Dutch Freformed Church. Died in Somerset County, N.J. Date of death unknown. Married 1st Elizabeth Tymensen Valentine; married 2nd Judith. Progenitors of the Cosad, Cozad, Casad and Cozart families."

      3. "A New Edition of the Cossart Family History Originally Compiled and Published by the Cossart Family Association In 1939 (accessed online 21 Jul 2019 at https://www.wikitree.com/photo.php/e/e4/Cozart_Name_Study-2.pdf):
      "JACQUES COSSART THE FIRST OF LIEGE IN BELGIUM AND OF LEYDEN, HOLLAND
      1- JACQUES COSSART (No record of parents).
      Jacques Cossart, born 1595, died ....? Married Rachelle Gelton, both from the City of Liege, now in Belgium and settled in Leyden, Holland. Birth records show that they were residing in Amsterdam, Holland in 1632.
      “The Cossarts of Leyden from whom the American Cossarts descended is claimed to have lived in Liege according to the Early Generations of the du Pont and allied families, genealogy, by H. A. du Pont, Volume II, which is herewith quoted.
      “Monsieur du Rieu, a member of the ‘Commission pour l’Histoire des Englises Wallonnes’, states that documents in the possession of the Commission show that the Cossarts of Leyden came to that city from Liege in Belgium about the beginning of the 17th century, and that these Cossarts were apparently wholly distinct from those who fled from Rouen to Amsterdam and Rotterdam at the time of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. (1685).
      “Jacques Cossart of Leyden, born in 1595, married Rachel Gelton by whom he had Rachel Cossart, baptised at Amsterdam, June 24, 1632, and Jacques Cossart, the younger, baptised at Leyden, May 29, 1639. The last named immigrated to America in 1662 with his wife, Lea Vilman (or as she is sometimes called, Lydia Willems) where they joined the Dutch Church in New York, April 1, 1663, and their numerous descendants have established themselves subsequently in
      different parts of the United States, the family name, in many instances, having been modified in many ways, such as Cozart, Cosad, Casad, and Cassatt.
      “As the Leyden Cossarts came from Liege, it is difficult to predicate any consanguinity between them and the Cossart families who had their abode in western and central France. An impression prevailed, however, in the Leyden family, that Rouen was the birthplace of the grandfather of the American emigrant. As the emigrant’s natal year was 1639 and that of his
      father, 1595, it is evident that the grandfather whose first name is not known, could not have been born much later than 1575, and might well have came in the world some 20 or 25 years sooner. In either contingency his birth must have occurred about the era of the Reformation. The records, however, of our Cossart family of Rouen during that period, which are very complete, do not show that any of its members established themselves in foreign parts, there having been no emigration on account of religious persecution, all of which upsets the above tradition. Another story which has been handed down among the Leyden Cossarts ascribes their place of origin to Picardy, and as in many cases family traditions have much real basis, it is not at all impossible that they descended from one of the Cossart families of that Province. All this, however, is pure hypothesis, and the reader will observe that the connection, if any existed, between the American Cossarts and the descendants of the Rouen family from which we (du Pont) come, is of a wholly undetermined and conjectural character.”
      CHILDREN:
      1.1 (2) i. Rachel Cossart, was baptised at Amsterdam, Holland, on June 24, 1632. No further record.
      1.2 (3) ii. Jacques Cossart, was baptised at Leyden, Holland, on May 29, 1639. He died in Brooklyn, New York, in 1685."