Gerret van Sweringen was born in Reenstwerdam, Holland on 04 Feb. 1636..  He was the younger son of a family belonging to nobility, and received a liberal education.  When a young man, of about twenty,  he performed responsible duties in the maritime service of the Dutch West India Company, and in 1656, when that company fitted out the ship Prince Mauria with emigrants and supplies for the Dutch Colony on the Delaware River in America, he was appointed its supercargo.  The vessel sailed from the port of Amsterdam on the 21 December, 1656 and was to have touched at New Amsterdam (now New York city), but on the night of 8th Mar 1657 stranded off Fire Island near the southern coast of Long Island.  The next day in freezing weather the passengers and crew in a frail boat got to the barren shore, where they remained several days without fire.  On the 3rd day they saw some Indians, one of whom was sent with word to Peter Stuyvesant, then Governor of New Amsterdam, who came with a sloop and carried them to that place.  A part of the cargo of the stranded ship having been saved before the ship stoved to pieces was put on board another ship, "Beaver", charted at New Amsterdam, and on the 16th of April they sailed for their destination, which they reached in safety in 5 days.  On 25 April 1657, Garrett Van Sweringen and the Dutch colonists took Fort Casimir and the surrounding area from the Swedes.
     After the wreak Gerret asked to be relieved from the company's service, as he intended to make his living there, and there was "nothing more to do," his request was granted.
     Fort Cassimir on the Delaware was established by the Dutch in 1651.  It was surprised in 1654 by the Swedes, and  possession taken, but was regained by the Dutch in 1655 and its named changed to New Amstel (now New Castle, Del.)  The Dutch held it until 1664, when all New Netherlands passed under British domain.  Concerning the then current affairs Gerret himself says:  "The Company being soe indebted to the city of Amsterdam as to the setting out a man of warr in reducing the South river were resolved to make sale of theire said title unto the said city. In fine, the Citty of Amerterdam were made Lords and Patrons of that Colony *  *  *  * A ship called the Prince Mauice was provide to goe to the said Colony, A Governor and Council appointed, and a company of soldiers consisting of about sixty men put aboard, and I myselfe was made supercargo over the said ship and goods.  The passengers coming into Delaware in a ship called the Beaver, hire at New York after the ship Prince Maurice was lost.  This was the 25th day of April, 1657, when we took possession of the fort now called New Castle, and soldiers of the West India Company Quilted the same.

     He was married at this place about Jan 1659 to Barbarah de Barrette in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, who was born at Vallenciennes, France, formerly a city in the Walledoon section of the old Seventeen United Netherlands, and later of the Spanish Netherlands, still later of France.  She was therefore a Huguenot.
     On 20 Aug 1660, Garret 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 Sweringen was again appointed as the "Counsell and Comissary Generall for the Citty of Amsrerdam to goe on with their designe…". Gerret remained in Amsterdam for a year to try to persuade the Dutch government not to give up entirely on the Delaware colony. He set sail to New Amstel on 24 November 1661 on the ship "the Purmerland Church". Also in a letter to Peter Stuyvestant, Director-General of the New Netherlands from William Beekman, Garret Van Sweringen was called "The Honorable President, Van Sweringen".
     After returning to New Amstel, Gerret was a merchant, served as clerk and later served as sheriff, commissary, and a member of the council, and he was also interested in cultivation of some low lands, a duck pond, and trade.  The following letter of a personal nature was written to a friend in Holland who was evidently a government official.  It was filed with the official records because, probably, of its reference to the affairs of the colony.

" Noble, Worshipful, Wise, Right Prudent Sir!
Sir:
With due respect and reverence I hereby taken the  liberty to greet you, through bounding duty of gratitude to devote to you all the days of my life.  I hope you will not consider the insignificant of my person, but excuse the previous and present boldness of so freely writing to your Honor.  Such being the case, I cannot neglect thereby to commendation.  I have been appointed schont (sheriff) here,  subject to the approbation of the Honorable the Principals, previous I have taken care of the store as clerk, and, after J. Rinevelt's death, as commissary from which I have now requested to be discharged, as I have, though un worth, have recently made Second Councillor.  I have received here some goods from my brother, all which I have laid out in house, horse and mules.  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.v. Sweringen
New Amstel, 8th December 1659
     After New Amsterdam was surrendered to the British in 1664, Sir Robert Carr was sent to demand the surrender of New Amstel, Garrett says.
 "The Fort and County was bought under submission by Sir Robert Carr as deputed with two shipps to that intent.  Sir Robert Carr did protest often to me that he did not come as an enemy, but as a friend demanding only friendship what was ye Kings right in that county.  There was taken from the city and inhabitants thereabouts one hundred sheep, and thirty or forty horses, fifty or sixty cows and oxen, the number of sixty or seventy negroes *  *  * and the estate of the Governor and myself, except some house stuffe, and a negro I gott away, and some other movables Sir Robert Carr did permit me to sell."

The ruin of van Sweringen
 He had fought the Mohegans in the forest beyond Beverwych, driving the war bands before him, consuming their villages until the savages begged for mercy.  His days went by with battle and nights with watchfullness.  Van Sweringen and his company came down from the hills through the forest of Beverwych, to find the city of New Amsterdam had been taken by the English.
 Van Sweringen said wearily, " Without a blow they took Amsterdam, as if there were no one near."  Then drawing his sword from the scabbard, he kissed its long, straight, splendid blade, and, with sudden of anguish, broke it across his knee, and standing as high as he could in his stirrups he threw the pieces over the wall into the dusty meadow grass. "Farewell good blade, forever more!" he said, "forged in honor, honorably brave, shall never be drawn in dishonor.  Thou wast wrought to strike for the Netherlands, and thou mayst not strike for the Netherlands.  Thy steel was for the Netherlands, my hands are for van Sweringen."  Then he stretched his hands out before him, saying in a piteous, chocking voice, "They are all that is left, I am ruined!"  For at first he was thinking of himself, but now he thought of his wife and daughter.  He rode through the gate to the house where his wife and daughter were staying, he went quickly.  His wife was sitting at the window. "Barbarah" he said, "I am ruined!" and there he stopped, he was chocking.  She looked up quietly, " Yes Garrett," she said, " I heard  of it."  They can not say that I married thee for thy money anymore," and with that she laughed very softly.  Garrett said, " I have not a guilder to my name, I am brought to beggary."  Barbarah said, " I am just as rich as thee, dear heart, as ever  I was." "To be ruined without fault is no disgrace."  She said, "it matters not to me for I gave up home and everything to go with thee."
     His wife was sitting on one side, Elizabeth, his daughter, on the other, sitting upon a foot stool and leaning against his knee.  "Father", said Elizabeth, "We don't mind it terrible for us.  We shall take a little house, and mother shall do the weaving, and I shall do darning and spin, oh how I can spin, and I shall gather wild hops for the brew, and nuts and berries in the woods.  We woman will cook, and thee shall work by the day, and we shall save stuiner by stuirer untill the stockings are full again."  About this time there was knock at the door, it was Lord Calvert.  Needless to say Garrett van was in no mood for English humor, which he misunderstood.  The governor actually came to offer Garrett a position of sheriff in Maryland.  "There are pretty posies hanging their heads in rows for the lass to come and pick.  Carr is a dirty scoundrel, I have just told him so to his thieving face." said Master Calvert.  "Let me make good the wrongs he has done.  Then ye shall need no more to curse the English for a pack of thieves and perjurers."  "Come down to Maryland, van Sweringen, you and all that be yours.  Man it will be a happy day!"  "Mistress van Sweringen," he said, with a laugh and half a choke, "Prevail with me against this dear, honest fool of thine.  He is the most obstinate, argumentative person that I ever stood against."  Lord Baltimore had told him you can take up 1,000 acres, at twenty shelling a year.  " Ye may believe as you please and say what you will, so you be Christian and speak no treasons, and if you will teach us to keep our own lawns as you have kept of the Dutch, you will confer a precious favor on the next Lord Baltimore."  As his long speech ended, he silently bowed, and stood there quietly.
Meinheir van Sweringen got up from his seat turning said simply, "My friend, my good and true friend, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have put a new light in the world for me."
 Shortly after the surrender he removed to Maryland.  In April, 1669 he, his wife, and two children, on the petition to Lord Baltimore, were naturalized by act of the general assemble held at St. Mary's in that province.  The importance of this act will be seen when it is stated that ownership of land was restricted to British subjects.
Some years after going to Maryland he wrote an account of the Dutch settlement on the Delaware River, which account was probably written for Maryland council to use as evidence in the boundary disputes between Lord Balimore and William Penn.  It was executed May 12, 1684, "at council at Matapany Sewall, in the Province of Maryland."  and the jurant described Garrett as "being of the City of St. Maries, gent, aged eight and forty years or thereabouts."  The extracts heretofore given are from this account.  He was an innholder at St. Mary's and owned land in that county and also in Talbott county.  In the proclamation of the charter of the city of St. Mary's, issued by Lord Baltimore in 1668,  he was appointed an alderman of the city.  In 1674 he built the city's stocks and whipping post.  He was appointed sheriff of the county on 4 May 1686 and again on  12 May 1687. In 1688 Garrett Van Sweringen was appointed as Alderman for the city of St. Mary’s, Maryland.
 Barbarah, his 1st wife died about 1670 and he married Mary Smith, then about sixteen years old, of St. Mary's, the anti-nuptial marriage settlement be executed Oct 5, 1676. Gerret's first home at St Mary's was probably "Smiths Ordinary" where he had established an inn. About 1670 he purchased the lease to the "ordinary", continuing there as innkeeper until about 1676. He leased the inn out and tried to set up a brewing house. Before the brewery was completed, the inn burned and he was forced to give up the endeavor. Perhaps this was when he built the small dwelling on the Aldermanbury St lot . In the meantime, the State House or Council Chambers building had been vacated, having been replaced in 1676 by the brick building. Gerret established another inn here, providing lodging and entertainment to visiting government officials until his death. In addition to being an innkeeper, he served in St Mary's as one of the first six aldermen (appointed in 1668) and as sheriff from 1686 to 1688.
Gerret Vansweringen died at St Mary's on 4 Feb.1698 and he was buried with Catholic rites in accordance with his will. Mary Smith died in 1713, she in the faith of the English Church.
 The issue of his first marriage were Elizabeth, Zacharias and Thomas and of the second, Joseph, Charles, Eleanor who married a Carroll, Teresa, Dorothy and another daughter who married William Bladen.
 Garrett van Sweringen and his household afford an example of the most rapid Anglications of Dutch Colonial Families.  The process took only one generation, where in the most persistent cases it has taken centuries in centimo of the country where these Dutch families lived in larger clusters than they did in the South.  Some of his children, when, growing up, already dropped the prefix "van" from their family name. Garrett van Sweringen and his household naturally did not become Dutch citizens again when the Dutch held New Netherlands again from 1672 to 1674.  His second marriage in 1676, an English colony, and with an English woman, naturally speeded up his Anglicization process, many families could not do so yet after they had lived in America over hundred and fifty years, and a full century of English rule.
 The name 'Swerigen" is not indigenous of north Holland, but of the regions of the eastern parts of the Netherlands and of the north-western parts of Germany, the home of the ancient Saxons. Patronymics ending in 'ingh', inge', are decidedly Saxon.  They were in full use already in the 5th century when the Saxon settlement of Britain began.
 'Sweer-ing' means son (or descendant) of Swerr - or, in full, Sweder, The form, Swederinck, occurs.  Sweringen means "the place of the Swering Clan, and van Sweringen means "of Swerigen" or "from Sweringen

 CHRONICLES OF ST. MARY'S
Vol. 29      May & June 1981       No.s 5 & 6

     Garrett Vansweringen, a native of Holland, was a prominent figure in St. Mary's from the late 1660's to his dearth in 1698. As noted in Hammett, "History of St. Mary's County, Maryland" (pp 22-23). in the 1670's his was one of the choice lots fronting on Aldermanbury Street in the newly-incorported City of St. Mary's and "taken up by the Governor and six other leading political citizens..." The site of the Vansweringen house has been established in recent years by archaeological means.
     Vansweringen first came to the New World and to what was claimed as Maryland Territory in 1657.  He arrived that year in the area at the head of Delaware Bay which had been lately been know as New Sweden.  The area had been in contention between the Swedes and Dutch.  It was soon thereafter in contention between the Dutch and English, and then between two English factions: the Duke of York and the Lord Baltimore.
     Despite the fact that King Charles I had granted the land to Lord Baltimore up to the 40th parallel, the Duke of York had a lot going for him.  He was the brother of King Charles II, who gave him a huge land grant without paying precise attention to what had already been granted to others.  And it was the King's troops who seized the land from the Dutch.  Moreover, James, Duke of York, succeeded his brother on the throne, as James II, and was King when the final decision was made.  As we know, the Lord Baltimore lost out and William Penn became the beneficiary.  In other sense James II lost out, too.  He was King for only three years before being driven into exile.
     Vansweringen arrived in Delaware Bay initially as a representative of the City of Amsterdam, which at that time asserted claim over the territory by reason of having taken over the " rights" of the West India Company.   He must have been a bright fellow--only 21 years old when first assigned by the City of Amsterdam to a difficult job of management and statecraft.  Except for a year back in Holland for "consultations", he evidently lived in and around New Amstel (Newcastle) in Delaware Bay from 1657 to at least 1664-- the year the British routed the Dutch forces in both New Amsterdam and Delaware.
     Through his official capacity in the local Dutch government at Delaware Bay, Vansweringen became acquainted with a number of Marylands, including the Calverts. Though they were adversaries of a sort prior to 1665,  The Maryland people must have regarded him a man worthy of considerable repast, for in the first charter incorporating St. Mary's City, in 1667, a charter that did not become effective, Garrett Vansweringen was named as one of the six aldermen of the city.
 In 1669 Vansweringen and his wife and two children applied for and were granted naturalization in the Maryland Province.
     The St. Mary's City charter of 1671 replaced the voided charter of 1667 and again Vansweringen was named alderman.1  In at least two court records, 1675, he is identified as mayor of St. Mary's City.   His regular private occupation in St. Mary's City from at least 1671 appears to have been Inn Keeper.   His will speaks of a council Room, so the Inn may have been an important meeting place in that capital city of Maryland,  He served as County Sheriff in 1686, 1687 and 1688.   With the "Protestant Revolution" of 1689 in Maryland, further significant public service by Vansweringen was foreclosed because he was Catholic.
     We find in the records that among his many talents he practiced "Physick".  Between July 24 and Aug. 27, 1691, he practiced Physick upon one John Edwards and later sued to collect payment.  In 1692 he was utilized by the Governor's' Council as interposer in the interrogation of a Frenchman from Canada who had been taken prisoner.
     Back in 1684, when Lord Baltimore was vigorously pressing his case before the King's council for the retention of his title to the land and waters on the Maryland's northern boundary, Garrett Vansweringen had a role in providing important background information.  Possibly it was needed in part to show the past efforts made by Maryland to settle the territory and ratify the claim.  In a lengthy deposition taken May 12, 1684, before the Governors Council at Mattapany Sewall, Vansweringen related what he knew of the "Seating of Delaware Bay and River to the Southward of the 40th Degree Northern Latitude by the Dutch and Swedes".  The deposition takes up 7 pages in the Archives of Maryland, vol. V., pp 411-417.  It is a comprehensive and lucid account, with here and there a nice turn of phrase.  The reader may be interested in some excerpts to get the flavor.
Vansweringen starts with background descriptions of events preceding his arrival on the scene.

    "In the year 1648 the Dutch haveing had bad successes in the North River (the Hudson) from whome they had bin driven by the New England men They resolved to looke towards the South and having information of that River otherwise called Delaware formerly bought by one Manheer Godin from the Indians a Sloop was fitted out with some Cargoo to trade with said Indians of that River.  They landed first at a place called by the Indians Sisouestinqud where they found out a Creeke Navigable for a sloop, as I was informed by those that had been acquainted with these men that Landed there........"

    "About the year 1650: as neere as I can guesse they made a third voyage into the River of Delaware and there cast anchor at a point neere the mount of Delaware River called Bointges Creeke but misliking that place they went higher up and cast Anchor at sand point now called Newcastle where they perceived some foure or five English families were seated about Nine miles Lower on the East side of the River called Elsingburgh which Englishmen were supposed to come from Maryland or Virginia.

"There is noe doubt but the dutch much misliking this they Resolved to goe up the River as high as they could and there landed setting up a post with the mark of the west Indian Company in this manner G W C by which they claime their title to that River, whereupon by Command from the General of the Manadoes They built a fort on the sand point where they first Landed,.........this fort being soe built for their Security against the Indians and Christians one Andrew Hudde being the Chiefeman sometimes Secretary sometimes Commandant, and at other times nothing at all being Commandant, and at other times nothing at all being according to behavior turned out and put in againe according to pleasure which person I know very well and have heard him & others discourse of what had happened and past in his time.

"In this manner they lived along time without any Govermt till neere the year 1652 when the Sweedes did fit out a fly boate with Considerable cargoe with another small vessell filled with freemen and Soldiers wit a Governor called Manheer prince (Printz) and Younker passage besides a factor Henric Huogan and Jacob Swanson who were to trade with the Indians.

"Upon their arrival in Delaware they askt leave of the Dutch to refresh themselves with water to which the Dutch Yeilded not imagining they had any design upon that place.....but the Swedes having got a shoare made the Dutch quitt their possessions and were turned to their ships as before.  And then the Sweedes with as little right as the Dutch had done before possest themselves of that River they having thus lost the South River as they had a fore lost the North River the West India Company being very poore, and noe ways able to encounter the Sweedes they resolved upon a potest which they made agt the Sweede for dispossessing them of their possessions which the Sweede little regarded.

"After this the company stated their case of the Citty of Amsterdam the Citty being full of money doth resolve to Assist the said Company in Order to restore them to their former possessions."

The narration continues:  In 1654 the City of Amsterdam fitted out a 36 gun ship and sent it to Delaware.  The Swedes in the meantime kept up trade with the Indians and enlarged their fortifications, including the building of a fort called Christina.

"The head of Chesapeake Bay in Maryland was not att that time stated and soe the Marylanders did not so much take notice either of the Sweedes or Dutch they looking upon them both to be only traders and soe here to-day and gone to-morrow There being noe Navigation or Road betwixt the head of the Bay and Delaware By which means the Marylanders could informed of the proceedings of the Dutch and Sweedes, afterwards the Company repossesst themselves with the Assistance of that Frigate called the Wacgh which the Citty of Amsterdam had sent to that purpose..........."
...............

"The Company being so indebted to the Citty of Amsterdam as to the setting out a man of warr in reduceing the South River into their possession again they were Resolved to make sale of their Title unto the said Citty which likewise was required from the other side soe both parties were soon agreed The Company being rid of their uncertaine title did not only pay their debt but is supposed had money to boote In fine the Citty of Amsterdam were made Lords and Patrons of that Colony in Delaware River...."

A Governor and Council were appointed for the colony, and on Dec 25, 1656 a ship set sail " out of the Texell" with a company of 60 soldiers and with Vansweringen as supercargo over the ship and goods.  The ship was lost, presumably near port in America, and they completed their trip in a ship hired at New York.  On April 25, 1657 they took possession of the Fort "now called Newcastle", replacing the soldiers of the West India Company.

The Governor and "Ministers of State" in Maryland began to notice that the Dutch and Swedish populations in Delaware were on the increase.  In 1659, Deputies were sent from Maryland to the town of New Amstel, Vansweringen then being one of the Council and Commissary General for the City of Amsterdam in that place.  A protest signed by Philip Calvert was read, objecting to the injury done by the forcible possession of parts of Lord Baltimore's Province and threatening armed action if the territory was not delivered up.  In 1660 Capt. James Neale appeared in Amsterdam in behalf of the Lord Baltimore, with a like protest.

Next, some "Englishmen" came out of Somerset County in Maryland to trade and settle in Delaware.  The City of Amsterdan ordered their local Government in Delaware to patch to oust the Marylanders but were recalled, after the local Dutch authorities reconsidered and decided against armed intervention.

In 1664 English forces under Sir Robert Carr invaded the area with two ships of troops and proceeded to subdue and plunder the Dutch settlements. "Sr Robert Carr did protest often to me that he did not come as an Enemy but as a friend demanding only in friendship what was the Kings Right in that Country".  Carr's troops took a large number of Negroes and great quantities of arms, livestock, crops, and most other moveable property and made prisoners of the Dutch soldiers.  They seized the estate of the Dutch Governor, as well as Vansweringen's estate "except some household stuffe and a Negroe O gott away and some other moveable Sr Robert Carr did permit me to sell".  Carr's superior, Col. Richard Nicolls, came down from New York and obliged him to give up much of his loot, but it is not known whether Vansweringen recoved any of his estate.

"I have omitted what past in the year 1659 when several of the Dutch came away from Delaware and sheltered themselves under the Government of Maryland some under pretence that they could not get their living there and others that wee had noe right or title to the land we Inhabited as I suppose they conjectured by the difference there was between Maryland and Delaware I myselfe  went to Maryland to demand those persons back again from Lieutenant General of that Province and from the Chancellor
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    Vansweringen was in a little hot water with the Colonial government in early 1693.   This was a time when James II was in exile  in France, displaced in England by William & Mary.  Maryland had a Royal Governor, Lord Baltimore's control of the Maryland  government having been taken away for what turned out to be a 25 year period.  Religious feelings were intense.  Any talk of possible return of a Catholic monarch tended to make the ruling class nervous, more especially because James and his supporters were doing their best to make it come true.

On March 12, 1692/93, Vansweringen was riding home from church in company with his wife,  Mr. Gilbert Turbeville and Mr. John Evans.  Turbeville asked what news he had, whereupon Vansweringen related some reports from Virginia, which he said he had heard from Mr. Fitzhugh and Col. Driggs.  King James had a new son, borne by his Queen in France, and had invited several lords and bishops to come over from England, with safe conduct, to witness the birth.  James was preparing for a return to power.  Many partisans in England were assisting with the preparations.  He sent a proclamation to England, extending a general pardon.  Agreement had been reached with the people of influence in England that he would retain his religion but would ban Jesuits, and Protestantism would be safe.  The plot fell through, with the defeat of the French fleet.

Vansweringen understood that these matters had been openly discussed in England and in Virginia, and in fact the Governor of Virginia, Sir Edmond Andros, talked openly about them with his Council.  Vansweringen quoted Madam Diggs as saying that Sir Edmond came over upon the account of continuing Governor for King James after the expected "alteration".

It is not clear how this private conversation on a county road "between St Inigos & Mr Pattisons Plantation" came to the ears of the authorities, but Vansweringen was bought to court to answer for it.  He and Turbeville were required to state all the particulars in depositions. Vansweringen admitted the charges of uttering false, scandalous, mutinous & seditious words and was fined 2,000 lbs. of tobacco. Copies of the depositions were sent to Andros, who was indignant.  He expressed the hope that Maryland Governor Copley would take fitting measures, particularly against Vansweringen and Turbeville.  The Maryland Council replied that Vansweringen had already been tried.
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    In the 1669 naturalization it is stated that Garrett Vansweringen was born in "Reensterdwan in Holland"; his wife Bargara De Barrette was born in "Valenchene in the Low Countryes"; and their children Elizabeth and Zacharias in Newamstell in Delaware Bay, under the Dutch flag. Vansweringen's 2nd wife was Mary Smith.  On Oct. 5, 1676  he took out a bond as surety for the payment of 60,000 LB of tobacco to Mary Smith of St. Mary's County, spinster, whome he was about to marry, payable in the event she should survive him.  She did, by 15 years.
The deposition re Delaware Bay dated May 12, 1684, gave Vansweringen's age as 48 years or thereabouts.  The one in April 1693 recounting his conversation with Turbeville gave his age as 57 or thereabouts.  It thus seems he was born in or near 1636.  His will  was completed Oct, 25, 1698 and proved on Feb. 4 and March 10, 1698/99.  He asked to be buried by Catholic Church rites ands wanted Masses said for his soul on various saints' days and holy days.  To sons Joseph and Charles he left his now dwelling houses (sic) and land thereunto belonging, also the "Counsel" room and Coffy house and land thereunto belonging.  If both sons should die, this property was to go to Vansweringen's girls by his present wife if the girls were un-married at the time of such event.  All his possessions remained for his wife's use during her single life.  He refers to sons-in-law.
    His wife and son Joseph are named executors, and Joseph along if the wife remarries.  Joseph was to be guardian of the "unaged" children, if the widow remarries, with the advise of Mr. John Hall of St. Inigoes.  If Joseph should die and the widow remarries, the children shall choose guardians from among four men specified in the will "in order to shake of the yooke of a father in laww"  (meaning stepfather).
    The will appears to make no specific provisions for his older married children, presumably all well fixed financially.  An interesting provision of the will decribes a practice which probably continues to this day:
    "I will that six weeks, after me decease, me estate, shall be appraised, and not to be undervalued, as ordinarily, in this country is done but to the reall value....."
    In a deposition  near the end of 1708, Mary Vansweringen's age was given as about 48 years, giving her an approximate year of birth of 1660.  Her will  dated 2-17-1712/13 and proven 9-5-1713, names daughters Dorothy and Tereshia Van Sweringen, ---Bladen, and Elinor Carroll; son Joseph Van Sweringen; and son-in-law William Bladen.  Son Joseph is given a 200 tract near St. Mary's City called the point, and is given the rest and residue after the other bequests.  He is to maintain daughters Dorothy and Thereshia "handsomely" until they are married.
 

Children of Garrett Vansweringen

Twelve probable children of Garrett Vansweringen can be identified, most of them with a high degree of certainty.  Two were named in the 1669 naturalization proceedings, two more in Garrett's will, and four others in his widow's will.

It takes a little digging to relate some of the remaining four to Garrett, and a certain amount of conjecture to determine which wife was the mother of which child.  In the process, some interesting and not known family connections are uncovered

Some good clues are furnished by the 4th Additional Account of the estate of son Joseph Vansweringen.   He died in 1720 but his estate was not closed out until 1775.  That account shows amounts paid to numerous legal representative. Reference will be made to it discussing several children of Garrett Vansweringen.

I. ELIZABETH VANSWERINGEN, the first-named child in the naturalization petition, was probably the eldest child of Garrett Vansweringen and Barbara De Barrette.  Born in New Amstel, Delaware, she is believed to have been the wife of 1) John Evans of St. Mary's City (d. 1700), and 2) Jacob Williams of St. Mary's County, planter (d. 1725).

Elizabeth William, St. Mary's County, died in 1736.  Her will  was made 9-23-1736, probated 12-6-1736.  She left token amounts of money to son Philip Evans, Anthony Evans and William Williams and to dau. Mary Pearce.  She left the bulk of her estate to son Benjamin Williams, whom she named executor.  The dau. Mary Pearce was almost certainly of the first husband John Evans, and very possibly was the first wife of Robert Pearce of St. Mary's County.

The 4th additional account of Joseph Vansweringen's estate reflects a share to Benj. Williams "for his Mother's part" and a share to Robert Pearce for his wife's part..  The inventory of goods of Mrs. Teresa Ford of St. Mary's County, 4-30-1754, records as kin, William Williams and Benjamin Williams.  Teresa Ford is believed to have been a dau. of Garrett Vansweringen.

II. ZACHARIAS VANSWERINGEN, eldest son of Garrett and Barbara, was born in New Amstel, Delaware.  He was identified as Garrett's son and heir-apparent in an Indenture  dated 11-6-1691.  Before 1697 he married Martha Devine, dau, of Daniel Devine of St. Mary's County.  He died in 1712.  His widow died later in the same year.  Zacharias' will does not seem to be of record.  Martha's will refers to "children" but names only dau. Jane.  Her executor was William Herbert.  At her inventory, next of kin were named as John Nelson, Michael Herbert, Mary Kirt and Joseph Vansweringen.

It is likely that one of the children of Zacharias and Martha was named Joseph. One Joseph Vansweringen of St. Mary's County died in 1736 (Adm'n Bond dated 3-21-1736).  His "orphans" were Thomas, Joseph, and Jane Vansweringen. His widow was Martha----, who later married James Chisam.  At the inventory, 5-4-1737, kin  were named as Eleanor Pearce and Mark Rodes.  The 4th add'l account of the Joseph Vansweringen who died in 1720 shows a small share paid to Mark Rodes for his Mother's part, and shares to Thomas Vansweringen for himself and his bother and sister.

III. THOMAS VANSWERINGEN, who drooped the Van and became known as Thomas Swearingen, is generally believed to have been a son of Garrett Vansweringen and his wife Barbara. In Mackenzie,  his birth year is given as ca.1665.  He married Jane ---, and lived in Prince George County.  His will dated 7-29-1708, probated 3-9-1710/11. left estate to his wife, to eldest son Thomas and to  sons Van, Samuel and John (John being under age 21). The wife was named executrix.

IV. MARY (MARIA) KIRK is suggested as another dau. of Garrett Vansweringen and probably his 1st wife Barbara.  In the inventory of goods of Martha Vansweringen, widow of Zacharias, 1-27-1712, Mary Kirk is listed as kin.  Martin Kirk of St. Mary's County died in 1709 (Adm'n Bond dated 3-15-1709).  His administratrix was Maria Kirk.  Her Sureties were Jacob Williams (see I above) and Zacharias Vansweringen.

Mary Kirk, widow, St. Mary's County, died in 1734; will made 10-10-1734, probated     1-21-1734/35, dau. Barbary Calvert and unnamed grandchildren.

"Well beloved Son" James Kirk was named executor.  Testamentary bond was granted    5-5-1735, with Andrew Foy and William Thomas of St. Mary's County as Sureties, in 100 Pounds Sterling.  The 4th Add'l Account of Joseph Vansweringen's estate shows payment to Joseph Kirk for his Mother's part.

The will of Charles Calvert of St. Mary's County, made 10-25-1733 and probated 12-31-1733, does not clarify the relationship entirely but indicates close ties with the Keirks.  He leaves one shilling each to dau. Sarah Hansen (Howsen?) and dau. Ann gives to "Barbary Keirk Daughter of Martin Keirk a maintenance out of my estate till she comes to age or till the day of marriage which comes first", and gives to his wife Barbary all the rest of his estate both real and personal and names her his executrix.  Witnesses were James Smith, James Keirk, Andrew Foy and Joseph Keirk.
 

V. ANN VANSWERINGEN dau. of Garrett and probably his 2nd wife Mary, was named in the will of Garrett's widow as dau. Bladen.  The will also named son-in-law William Bladen.  She married Bladen sometimes prior to Feb. 29, 1695/96.  On that date,  summons was issued to Mr. Hall, the priest living at St. Inegoes in St. Mary's County, to appear before the Governor and Council and tell by what authority he married them.  The priest was able to produce a license from the (Anglican) minister of William and Mary Parish.

William Bladen of Anne Arundel County, born 2-27-1673 in Yorkshire, England,  was Commissary General of the Province at the time of his death on Aug. 9, 1718.  The widow Ann was still living in 1727.

William and Ann( Vansweringen) Bladen had a son Thomas, who was born in 1698, was living in London in 1720, was Governor of Maryland, 1742-47, and later returned to London, becoming a Member of Parliament for Old Sarum.  He died in England in 1780.   They also had a dau. Ann, who on July 31, 1711 married Benjamin Tasker.   The Taskers had a dau. Ann who married Maryland Governor Samuel Ogle in 1741.

VI. JOSEPH VANSWERINGEN was a son of Garrett and his 2nd wife Mary. A deposition  of 8-29-1717 gives his age as about 35 years, indicating a birth year of ca. 1682.  This check out with the provision in his father's will naming Joseph as contingent guardian of the "unaged" children, with the advice of Mr. John Hall--- a logical proviso if son Joseph was then only 16 or 17 years old.

Joseph Vansweringen married Mary Neale prior to 4-9-1715.  She was born ca. 1682; deposition taken 3-8-1721 gave her age as 39 years or thereabouts.  Mary was the dau. of James Neale (d. 1727) and his first wife Elizabeth Calvert, who was dau. of William Calvert and Elizabeth Stone.  This was Mary Neale's 3rd marriage and she was to have a 4th.  She married: 1) Charles Egerton, before 1702, and had issue; 20 Jeremiah Aderton, prior to 5-17-1708, and had issue; Aderton died in 1713; 3) Joseph Vansweringen, before 4-9-1715, no known issue; and 40 William Deacon between Oct. 1722 and June 1723, no known issue.

William Deacon's will  dated 6-19-1758 (probated 1-7-1760) does not mention Mary; she was probably deceased.  She may have been living as late as Spring, 1755.  On 4-8-1755, orders were issued to the Sheriff of St. Mary's County  to summons William Deacon, Esq., and Ann his wife, Lately called Ann Vansweringen (obviously meaning Mary), to show cause why they do not pass a final account of Joseph Vansweringen's estate.  The account was rendered June 28, 1755, by Deacon alone.

Joseph was executor and chief beneficiary of his mother's will.  He died, intestate, between 12-10-1720 and 1-23-1720/21.  Adm'n Bond in L3,000 Ster. was Dated 1-23-1720, with Mary as administratrix and Thos. Waughop and Vitus Herbert as Sureties.

In the Provincial Court in 1727,  William Deacon sued Ann Bladen, Gerard Slye, and John Park and wife Teresia, for partition of the 224 acre tract near the City of St. Mary's called the Chancellor's Point (it was near the old fort and the White house feild).  They held the tract undivided, and the defendants reused a partition.  On 10-17-1727 the Court ordered the land divided.

This land had been the property of Joseph Vansweringen, dec'd and was the parcel bequeathed to him by his mother.  On Joseph's death it devolved upon the parcel bequeathed to him by his mother.  On Joseph's death it devolved upon five sisters bequeathed to him by his mother,  On Joseph's death it devolved upon five sisters or their husbands, as follows:  Ann Bladen, Gerard Slye in right of his deceased wife Sarah, Dorothy Vansweringen, Eleanor Manning, and John Park in right of his wife Teresia.  William Deacon claimed 2/5 parts of the land, by purchase from Dorothy and Eleanor.  It is not clear why the widow of Joseph Vansweringen, now the wife of Wm. Deacon, did not share in the partition.

VII. CHARLES VANSWERINGEN, son of Garrett, is known only by having been mentioned in his father's will as son and legatee.  He is named there after  son Joseph. Joseph, clearly a son of Garrett's 2nd wife Mary, was named co-executor and possible guardian of the "unaged" children, so it seems quite likely that Charles was younger that Joseph and also a son of Garrett's 2nd wife Mary.  Not named in Mary's will; Very possibly he died between 1698 and 1712.

VIII. DOROTHY VANSWERINGEN, dau. of Garrett and probably his 2nd wife Mary Smith, was named as dau. in Mary Vansweringen's 1712 will.  She never married. As sister of Joseph Vansweringen (d.1720), she was entitled to a 1/5 part of Chancellor's Point, but sold it to her bother-in-law William Deacon.  Dorothy died in 1728 (Adm'n Bond, 11-15-1728).  She was of the City of Annapolis, and left property in both A.A. and St. Mary's Counties.

IX. SARAH VANSWERINGEN, dau. of Garrett and probably his 2nd wife Mary Smith, married Gerard Slye (d. 1733) as his first wife.  A reason for supposing that she was a dau. of Vansweringen's 2nd wife is that after her decease her husband receiving a 1/5 share of Chancellor's Point. The strong indication is that the five sisters of Joseph Vansweringen who received (or whose spouses received) par of that tract after Joseph's death were sisters of the whole blood.

Sarah was not named in Mary (Smith) Vansweringen's 1712 will.  She may have been deceased by that time.  We know she was deceased by late 1718, when Gerard Slye took as his 2nd wife Mary Boarman, widow of John Gardiner.

In a petition on or soon before 1-26-1720, Gerard Slye objected that his wife Sarah, one of the daughters of Garrett Vansweringen, dec'd, had not been given her filial portion of her father's estate.  He claimed that Garrett in his last will did, amongst other of his children, take notice of his dau. Sarah, to come in for her portion.  (The "girls" were not named in the will, as we have seen, and they were "unaged", so clearly they were daughters of Garrett's 2nd wife Mary.)  Garrett's executors never took notice of Sarah to come in for her portion, and Mary the widow, since deceased, made no provision in her will foe Sarah her daughter but made bequests to all her other children.  Slye asked that Administration DBN not be granted on either estate until he could be heard.  At the time the court served notice to the parties concerned, Joseph Vansweringen had just died.  The timing was unfortunate.  The case came up for decision on 3-14-1720 but was dropped for want of prosecution by Sly

Gerard Slye and Sarah Vansweringen had issue: Ann, married Francis Ignatius Boarman; Susannah, Charles Craycroft; and Mary, married 10 Henry Neale (d. 1742) and 2) John Lancaster (d. 1760)

X. ELEANOR VANSWERINGEN of Calvert County, dau. of Garrett and probably his 2nd wife Mary Smith, married 1)----Carroll, by 1712, and 2) John Manning, widower, ca. 1719.  Manning died in March 1723/24. By her first husband Eleanor had a dau. Mary Carroll, who married 1) Stephen Higgins and 2) Henry Welsh of A.A. County.  There was no issue of Eleanor's 2nd marriage.

Elinor Carroll was named as a dau. in the 1712 will of Mary (Smith) Vansweringen.  On 10-17-1727, in connection with the partition of Chancellor's Point, Elinor Manning, widow late deceased, was identified as a sister of Joseph Vansweringen, dec'd.  William Deacon claimed her portion, by purchase.  The indication is that Eleanor had died earlier in the same year;  Adm'n Bond dated 7-22-1727, in L 1,000 Ster.  Mary Carroll was administratrix, her  Sureties being James Carroll and Charles Sewall.  At the inventory, kin were named as D. Vansweringen and Teresa Parke.

This writer has not pinned down the given name or parentage of Eleanor's first husband---Carroll, but the clues indicated that he was of the family of well known Daniel Carrolls and Charles Carrolls of that period and later.  It was noted above that one of Mary Carroll's Sureties was James Carroll.  James Carroll of A.A. County died in 1729, leaving a considerable property (including "Carrolburgh" and "Pork Hall" in P.G. County), and naming brothers Daniel and Michael and "cosens" Mary Higgins in his will.  In the will he names three nephews as "cosens". so it is possible that his "cosens" Mary Higgens was actually a niece, dau. of one of his brothers.  She inherited 490 acres, part of Pork Hill, this tract being on a branch of the Monacacy River.

XI. TERESA VANSWERINGEN , dau of Garrett and probably his 2nd wife Mary Smith, was named as dau. and indicated to be single in the 1712 will of Garrett's widow.  She married John Parke, and in 1727 peoceedings concerning Chancellor's Point she was identified as a sister and heir of Joseph Vansweringen.  Parke received a 1/5 portion in right of his wife.  Teresa was her sister Dorothy's administratrix (Adm'n Bond, 11-15-1728), and both were identified as being of A.A. County.  She rendered an account on Dorothy's estate on 5-31-1729

In March Court 1734, P.G. County, Teresia Parke sued William Hayward.  In Charles County in Nov. 1746, the account of the estate of Vincent Askin shows a payment of 7500 lb. of tobacco to Teresia Parks.

It is suggested that Teresa (Vansweringen) Parke married, secondly, Robert Ford of St. Mary's County, and that he had been previous married also.  Robert Ford's will, made 11-12-1753 and probated 1-15-1754, named his wife Teresia, leaving her 1/3 of his personal estate and a life interest in his dwelling plantation.  He left the bulk of his estate to dau. and son-in-law Monica and John Fenwick; to grandchildren Joseph, Margaret, Mary and Robert Fenwick; to sister Teresia Wimsatt; and to brothers John and Peter Ford. As executors he named his wife and son-in-law John Fenwick.  In an account on 9-12-1755 John Fenwick was shown as the only executor.  The will of Teresia Ford, widow and relict of Robert Ford, St. Mary's County, was made on 12-31-1753 and probated 1-5-1754.  The record shows the she died 1-1-1754, just after making the will.  She left to James Neale, son of Henry Neale of Cob Neck, dec'd, and of Mary Neale now Intermarried with John Lancaster "all that one fifth part of a Tract of Land in St. Mary's County, called the Chancellor's Point, which on a writt of partition was formerly allotted to Anne Bladen...." It abutted the division line between John Parke and Teresia his wife and Anne Bladen, widow.  Charles Craycroft, whose wife and dau. Sarah were legatees, was named administrator of the will.  At the inventory, 4-30-1754, William Williams and Benjamin Williams were named as kin.  Account rendered 10-23-1755 reflects L 384-4-1 1/2 received of John Fenwick, evidently the widow's "thirds" from the estate of Robert Ford.  The 4th add'l Account of Joseph Vansweringen's estate, , 6-28-1755, records a payment to Robert Ford "for his wife's part".

It appears to be reasonable conclusion that Teresa Ford married 1) John Parke and 2) Robert Ford, with no surviving issue from either marriage, and that she died 1-1-1754 soon after her 2nd husband died.

XII. GARRETT VANSWERINGEN of St. Mary's County, possibly son of Garrett Vansweringen and his first wife Barbara, died in 1752 (Adm'n Bond dated 7-9-1752).  His administrator was Thomas Vansweringen, identified in the final account  as a nephew of the decedent.  Also named as nephew and niece were Joseph Vansweringen and Jane Vansweringen, all three being beneficiaries of the decedent's very small estate.  Sureties were John Taylor and Barnaby Angel.

The name, sometimes rendered as Gerard but most generally as Garrett, would indicate a very close relationship to the Garrett Vansweringen who died in 1698.  However, the main basis for considering him to be a son lies in the 4th Add'l Account of Joseph Vansweringen's estate, which shows a payment to Gerd Vansweringen Brother to ye Dec'd. He was not named in the 1712 will of Mary (Smith) Vansweringen and was not a participant in the 1727 partition of  Chancellor Point, hence the belief that he was not Mary's son.  It seems probable that he died unmarried and without issue.

Possibly the nephews and niece, mentioned above, were grandnephews and grandniece of this Garrett Vansweringen. as noted in II above under Zacharias, the names are the same as the orphans of Joseph Vansweringen (d. 1736), possible son of Zacharias.

Differences

One source said he was born in Bummsterdam, Holland in 1638 and another in Reenstwerdam, Holland on 04 Feb. 1636.
One source said that the vessel sailed from the port of Amsterdam on the 21 December, 1656 and another from Texel, Holland on 25 Dec 1656.