NOTE: At the end of this letter Henry J comments that the
baptism of Adrian took place “in the presence of Adrian Hendricksen Aten and
Elizabeth Thomas—at his house.” Karen Aten Hillman sent for this record
and the exact entry in the Records of the Reformed Dutch Church in New York is
as follows:
“Ouders [parents] Thomas Aten, Elsje Schilman; Kinders
[children] Adriaen; Getu˙gen [witnesses] Adriaen Aten, en s˙n hú˙svr. Elizabeth
Thomas.” It seems Henry J mistranslated the phrase which means “and his
(house)wife” as “in his house.”
Written on letterhead stationary of Henry J. Aten, Farm
Mortgage Loans, Hiawatha, Kansas.
March 16th, 1899.
Mr. dear Dr. Thompson:-
I am inclined to doubt the existence of any Sutphin
genealogy, and we will likely have to get along without that source of information unless it should turn up in the Long Island Historical Society. The reason I mention that Society, is that I received a request this week from librarian for a copy of the Albertson – Aten reunion pamphlet, and a copy of its Constitution, By Laws and annual Report. It states that the society have over 1800 separate family histories, making it one of the largest in the country. If I go on to New York this Spring, as I expect to, I shall try to examine the collection of that society.
I have found a family of Atens at Baldmount Lackawana County Pa. in which there are five children; George, Paul, Mary, Elizabeth, and Arthur. This is I think, a new family, and the name Paul struck me as quite significant. I have written to Paul, who is a man of 30 years or more.
A Dr. W J. Auten of Atlanta Georgia, writes to know about his ancestors beyond his grandfather, whose name was John Auten. He also says there is a W T. Auten living in Nashville Tennessee, a distant relative of his.
The Editor of the N. Y. Gen. & Bio. Record in reply to an inquiry of mine say that Elizabeth Thomas wife of Adrian Hendricksen Aten, came from London, he also verified that the bap. of our Adrian. Adrian [inserted by hand of Henry J.] son of Thomas Aten and Elsje Schillman was bap. Sept 4th, 1695, in the presence of Adrian Hendricksen Aten and Elizabeth Thomas—at his house. This seems to clear up all doubt as to our line in America. Does it not?
‘ ‘