He was son of Jacobus Gerritse Van Vorst of Beverwyck, and was born in 1670. (195-1) At the age of eleven years his father apprenticed him to Jeronimus Wendel for six years, to learn the shoemaker's trade. (195-2)
Having in 1699, married Elizabeth, daughter of Jan Baptist Van Eps and widow of Teunis Vielè, he removed to Schenectady the next year, and purchased of Johannes Ouderkirk and Neeltie Claes his wife, the lot on Union street next east of the Dutch church lot, 100 feet front and rear and 200 feet deep Amsterdam measure.
Sander Glen de oude and Jan Gerritse Van Marcken, magistrate and secretary of the village, conveyed this lot originally to Christiaan Christiaanse; the deed was burned in Joris Aertse Van der Baast's house at the sacking of the town by the French and Indians Feb. 9, 1690; therefore Johannes Sanderse Glen, renewed the same Dec. 1, 1694, and the same day Christiaanse conveyed said lot to Neeltie Claase, widow of Hendrick Gardenier. It would seem however from the inventory of Gardenier's property that he had owned this lot long before the above conveyance.
Neeltie Claase married Johannes Ouderkirk and with him conveyed said lot to Jellis Van Vorst 21st Feb., 1701/2 for the sum of 21 pounds [$52.50] current money of the Province. Johannes son of Gillis, inherited it and gave the east half to his son Johannes 20 Aug., 1767, his other son Jan Baptist, at that time being owner of the west half. (195-3)
The west half, 50 by 200 feet now forms part of church yard, the east half of the same dimensions Amsterdam measure, is owned and occupied by Mr. Aaron Barringer.
Notes
(195-1) Annals of Albany, II, 98, 163; Deeds, II, 690.
(195-2) Not. Paper, II.
(195-3) Toll Papers; Wills, I, 3.