The emigrant ancestor of the Van Ness family of the Mohawk Valley is Hendrick Gerritse Van Ness, who came from Emberland. He married, in New Amsterdam, Anneken Wessels from Colen, April 19, 1654. He had, probably by a former wife, a son Cornelis.
(II) Cornelis, son of Hendrick Gerritse Van Ness, was born in Holland, where he lived with his first wife in 1625, upon the Hazendyck. His wife's mother, Annetje Janse, of Louckwalt, in 1630 left a legacy of three morgens of land in Scherpenwyck, March 24, 1664, he was "Ralts Persoon" (magistrate) of Rensselaerwyck, and still a widower. In 1681 the will of Cornelis and his second wife, Maria Damen (both deceased) was presented for probate. He married (first) Mayken, daughter of Hendrick Andriessen Burchgraeff (betrothal papers dated July 31, 1625). He married (second) in 1664, Maria Damen, widow, first of Dirk Van Eps, second of Hendrick Andriesse Van Doesburgh. By first marriage she had Jan, Elizabeth, married Gerrit Banker; by second marriage, Jannetje, married Martin Creiger. Cornelis, by his first wife, had a son Hendrick.
(III) Hendrick, son of Cornelis and Mayken (Burchgraeff) Van Ness, married (first) Annatje Everts; (second) Catryn Van Dam. Children by both wives.
(IV) Jan Hendrickse, son of Hendrick and Annatje (Everts) Van Ness, was buried August 12, 1747. He married Catalyna, daughter of William and Geertruy (Schuyler) Groesbeck, November 17, 1706, and had ten children.
(V) Cornelis (2), son of Jan Hendrickse and Catalyna (Groesbeck) Van Ness, was baptized March 22, 1713; married, December 2, 1738, Susanna Switts, baptized October 19, 1712, daughter of Cornelis and Hester (Visscher) Switts, and had four children.
(VI) Johannes, son of Cornelis (2) and Susanna (Switts) Van Ness, was baptized June 17, 1739. He married Hester Gerritse, December 5, 1762. Children baptized:
- Cornelis, July 3, 1763;
- Hendrick, May 15, 1768;
- Tjerk, December 22, 1769;
- Susanna, January 16, 1774.
(VII) Hendrick, son of Johannes and Hester (Gerritse) Van Ness, married Maria Ten Eyck and had children:
- Andrew, baptized March 21, 1794, and
- Henry.
(VIII) Henry, son of Hendrick and Maria (Ten Eyck) Van Ness, was born about 1800. He married and had children: William H., John, Seneca, Garrett, Ira, Nancy, Mary, Effie Ann, Cornelia and Lydia.
(IX) Garrett, son of Henry Van Ness, was born 1832, died 1892. In his early life he was a farmer of Northampton, Fulton county, New York, but during his later years engaged in the general mercantile business at Osborn Bridge in the town of Northampton. He married Margaret L. Robertson, born 1835, died December 4, 1880. Children:
- James Robertson, of whom further;
- May E., born July 12, 1864.
(X) James Robertson, only son of Garrett and Margaret L. (Robertson) Van Ness, was born in Northampton, Fulton county, New York, November 5, 1860. He was educated in the public schools, and prepared for college under a private tutor. He entered Cornell University, where he passed his freshman and sophomore years. Then he entered Union University, where he was graduated A.B., class of 1883. He chose the profession of law and studied under Lee A. Anibal, of Northville, New York. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1886. In the fall of that year he began the general practice of law at Northville, where he still continues. He was supervisor of the town two terms; police justice of the village five years, and is favored with a satisfactory clientage. He is a member of the Masonic order; for five years he was master of Fish House Lodge, No. 298, Free and Accepted Masons; two years high priest of Sacandagua Chapter, No. 116, Royal Arch Masons; member of Holy Cross Commandery, No. 5, Knights Templar; Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is a thirty-second degree Mason of Albany Consistory, Scottish Rite; is past sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men. He is a member of the State Bar Association, and a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is Republican. He married, April 27, 1898, Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Norman and Deborah (Stone) Satterlee. Child,
- Florence Margaret, born January 22, 1899.