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1113. Dom Gideon SCHAETS, b. 1607, Leerdam, South Holland; d. Feb 27, 1694, bur under the floor of the church; m1. Nov 5, 1634, Agnietje Moens/ Moriaens (b. 1610, d. 1666). Her family had been in the service of the Dukes of Burgundy for generations, and were high government officials at The Hague. However upon the ascension of Philip II, they joined the Reformation forces. He was a schoolteacher and tutor at the Hague and later at Brielle, where he had moved (1626) to tutor the children of Captain (Count) de Treslong, appointed military governor at Brielle, an heir and relative of the Countess of Buren. There he met Agnietje, Gouverness of the Count's daughters, at the governor's house, and there they were married. They later moved to Beesd/Beest, County of Buren where he opened a small school, which he kept for 12 years. He was educated by his father, then by the learned theologian, and later university professor, Gisbertus Voltias.
In 1652, shortly after his ordination (May 6), he emigrated to New Netherlands, with his family, on "de Blom van Gelderland" to serve Rensselarswyck, under a 3 year contract, arriving Jul 24, 1652, with his w, 2 sons and a dau. In 1657, he also became the second Dutch minister of Beverwyck (now Albany, NY), at 800 guilders or $320/year (later raised to 1000, then 1300 guilders), replacing Dom Megapolensis, who had moved to New Amsterdam. He also served as missionary among the Indians and teacher. With his realtively low salary, and living costs four times those in the Netherlands, he was in financial straights. Peter Stuyvesant had recently donated a house to the church to serve as a poor house. As he was the poorest soul in the village, he moved into the house.
The original small building which served as the church had been built in 1647. In 1656, a new church was built, in the new center of town, known as the "Blockhouse Church", with the cornerstone laid by Magistrate, Rutger Jacobsen (today, State St and Broadway). It was erected in the middle of the intersection to permit defence of the town, with cannon being mounted on the second floor. The pulpit (called the Hour-Glass Pulpit) which was made of Flemish oak, for him in Holland, has been installed in the present Dutch Reformed Church in Albany and is still used. A large weathervane, in the shape of a cock, can still be seen in the present church. The small, semi-circular pulpit of 1650 was set below it, for use by the "Voorlezer", who read the psalms and led the singing. It too, is retained in the present church, in the chapel.
In 1657, after serving two renewed contracts with the Patroon, he was ready to retire and return to Holland. Such an uproar was heard from the town, that the Patroon and the DWIC agreed to another contract, with a 50 percent increase in wages. He was also built a new parsonage, which burned in 1681, to be replaced by a distinctive Dutch brick house, which became an Albany landmark, until torn down in 1832. He also supplied Schenectady for 18 years (1662-1680) and ocassionally preached in NYC and Wiltwick (Kingston).
In 1672, Dom Nicholas Van Rennselaer arrived in Albany and volunteered to assist Dom Schaets. Having been ordained in England by an Anglican Bishop, Van Rensselaer was immediately under suspicion bu the fierce Dutch Calvinists. He also ran afoul of Jacob Leisler. Peace resumed when he died on Nov 12, 1678. Dom Schaets preached until 1690, when he was replaced by Dom Godfridus Dellius, who had joined him, in Aug, 1683. He continued to administer the sacraments until his death. In order to survive on his small salary, his wife took up private trading.
m2. banns Aug 1, m. Aug 22, 1683, N. Albanien, Barentie Hendricks (b. , d. 1688), widow of Gerrit Wollewever/Fullewever/Follewever/Fullweaver/ Vullevever, tavern keeper, house garden on the east side of Broadway, Lots 4, 6, 7, Block C (Castello Plan). She is often found presenting children for baptism. She left her house to Dom. Schaets, by will (Oct 27, 1688). The house and lot was sold by Gydion Schaats and Barentje Hendricks to Wouter Hyer (IMMIGRANT), Jun 12, 1685, now 26 Broadway.
I would like to correspond with descendants of Dominie Gideon SCHAETS (SCHAATS, SCHAATES, SKAATS, SKAATES, SKATES), the second Dutch Minister at Albany, along male and female lines.
Bob Protzmann
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