There were three individuals of this name who early became residents of Albany or Niskayuna, — Capt. Jan, his nephew Johannes and Frederick Clute.
Captain Jan Clute came to Beverwyck about 1656, from Neurenburg and became a trader and considerable land holder in Beverwyck, Loonenburgh [opposite Hudson], Niskayuna, etc. (104-2) He was held in great esteem by the Indians from whom he obtained extensive grants of land. His chief purchases in Niskayuna, were:
1st. The "Great Island," in the Mohawk river which he purchased 4 March, 1669, of Pieter Danielse Van Olinda and his Indian wife Hilletie [Cornelise Van Slyck], and the same was confirmed to him by patent of Gov. Lovelace, Aug. 2, 1671, together with six morgens of land bought of Maritie Damens on the mainland and a small island lying west of the "Great island." (105-1)
2d. "A certain piece of land lying at Canastagioene (105-2) on this [South] side of the river," which he bought of Claas Janse Van Boekhoven, Oct. 21, 1677. (105-3)
3d. The lands of Dirk Van Schelluyne at Canastagioene. (105-4)
On the 3d April, 1678, Capt. Clute sold to Sweer Teunise [Van Velsen] of Schenectady, a certain neegher, named Jacob, about 24 years of age, for whom he promises to pay 100 good whole beaver skins @ eight guilders a piece ($320). (105-5)
It is not known that he had any other relative here than Johannes Clute, his nephew, who on his death in 1683 became his heir.
Notes
(104-2) Not. Papers, II; Deeds, I, 187.
The following are some of his real estate transactions as appears by the records.
1657, he bought a garden behind Fort Orange of Theunis Metselaer.
1662, he contracted to buy 22 morgens of land at Catskil of Jan Andriese.
1663, he bought of Sander L. Glen a house and lot on the Hill, Beverwyck.
1664, he bought of Adriaen Gerritse a house and lot for 630 gl.
1665, with Jan Hendr. Bruyn bought a tract of land opposite Claverac landing [now Hudson], of the Indians.
1665, he bought of Wm. Fred. Bont a house and lot for 390 gl.
1667, he bought a garden behind Fort Albany of the Estate of Rutger Jacobsen.
1667, he bought a house and lot of Jan C. Van Aecken.
1667, he bought lot No. 4 of Ludovicus Cobes, for which he conveyed to L. Cobes the lot bought of Wm. Bont in 1665.
1668, he bought of the commissaries of Albany, lot No. 11 on the Hill.
1669, 4 March, he bought "Great Island" at Niskayuna, of Pieter D. Van Olinda.
1670, he sold a house and lot, to J. J. Bleecker.
1670, he and others sold their land at Coxsackie to Marten G. Van Bergen.
1670, he sold a lot to Gabriel Thomase.
1676, he owned a house and lot in Yonkers (State) street.
1677, he bought of Claas J. Van Boekhoven a parcel of land at Niskayuna.
1677, he bought a part of Van Schelluyne's land at Niskayuna.
1678, he sells his land at Catskil to Jan Conell and Gerrit J. Van Vechten.
(105-1) Gen. Entries, IV, and Albany Co. Records, 436.
(105-2) [Canastagioene was properly applied to the flats on the north side of the river opposite the present Niskayuna. — M'M.]
(105-3) Albany Co. Records, 167.
(105-4) Albany Co. Records, 168.
(105-5) Notarial Papers, II; Albany Annals, II, 118.