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THE QUACKENBUSH FAMILY in Bergen and Hudson Counties are descended from Peter Quackenbush, of Oostgeest, Holland. His son, Rynier Pietersen Van Quackenbosch, came to America in 1673-74 and located at New Amsterdam, where he married, March 2, 1674, Elizabeth Jans, of Flushing, L. I. He was a carpenter by trade, and pursued that calling in New Amsterdam. His wife having died in 1691, he married, the following year, Classie Jacobse. He had a large family of children, among whom were Abraham, Jacob, and John. Abraham settled at Schraalenburgh in Bergen County and married Susanna, a daughter of Samuel Hellings (Helms), by whom he had issue ten children. His brother John married Lena Van Houten, and his brother Jacob married Ann Brower. John and Jacob both located in the northerly part of Bergen. Abraham, John, and Jacob each reared large families, from whom having sprung numerous descendants now scattered over Bergen County. Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 178-179.

John Rathbone Ramsey, clerk of Bergen county, was born in Wyckoff, Bergen county, New Jersey, April 25th, 1862, and is a son of John P. and Martha (Rathbone) Ramsey. He was educated at the private school of Professor John C. Nash, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, after which he read law in Hackensack with the late George H. Coffey and Abraham D. Campbell, being admitted to the bar in 1883 as an attorney and in 1887 as counsellor, after which he began the practice of his profession in Hackensack. Being a successful lawyer and a popular Republican, he was put in nomination for the office of County Clerk of Bergen county in 1890, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1895, however, he was again nominated for the same office and was elected. He has successfully filled the office ever since. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900 JOHN RATHBONE RAMSEY is one of the leading lawyers of Hackensack, Bergen County, N. J., and, in November, 1895, was elected to the office of County Clerk by a majority of 961, being the first Republican ever elected to that position in that county. He is the son of John P. Ramsey, a farmer, and Martha Rathbone, his wife, and a descendant on his father's side of Samuel Ramsey, a native of Scotland, who with his son, John Ramsey, came to America in 1772, and settled at New Scotland, Albany County, N. Y. The son John, born in 1757, married Margaret Connolly, and settled at New Scotland, where he enlisted and served in the Continental Army against the British in the war for independence. Peter Ramsey, said to have been another son of Samuel, and to have followed his father and brother to America, had two sons, Peter P. and William P. Ramsey, both of whom settled in the Ramapo district of Bergen County. Peter P. married Jane Reyerson, and William P. married Hannah _____. The inscriptions on their tombstones show the following facts: Peter P. Ramsey, born July 18, 1770, died March 30, 1854; Jane Reyerson, his wife, died January 28, 1825. William P. Ramsey, born December 25, 1774, died July 19, 1863; Hannah, his wife, born January 29, 1775, died August 5, 1849. These were the first of the name in the county, and were undoubtedly the ancestors of all the Ramseys in Bergen County, including the subject of this sketch. On is mother's side John R. Ramsey's ancestors were of English descent. Mr. Ramsey was born in Wycoff, Bergen County, N. J., on the 25th of April, 1862, and spent much of his early life--from 1872 to 1879--with his maternal grandfather, John V. Rathbone, in Parkersburg, W. Va., where he received a private school education. In 189 he returned to New Jersey and entered the law office of the late George H. Coffey, of Hackensack. He subsequently continued his law studies with the firm of Campbell & De Baun, also of Hackensack, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in November, 1883, and as a counselor in February, 1887. For nearly twelve years following his admission he was actively and successfully engaged in the practice of law in Hackensack, displaying marked ability as a counselor and advocate, and gaining an extensive clientage. Mr. Ramsey has always been an active, ardent, and consistent Republican, and for many years has been a power in the councils of his party. He was the Republican candidate for the office of County Clerk, of Bergen County, in 1896, but was defeated by a very small majority, although he ran ahead of the rest of the Republican ticket by several hundred votes. In November, 1895, he was again the Republican candidate for that office and was elected by a majority of 961, for a term of five years from November 18, 1895, being the first Republican elected to this office with marked ability and satisfaction, and has displayed the same energy which characterized his career at the bar. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 113, Free and Accepted Masons, of Ridgewood, N. J., of Wortendyke Lodge, No. 175, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of various socil organizations and clubs. He was married, January 26, 1898, to Mary Evelyn Thompson, of Clarksburg, W. Va. She died very suddenly April 27, 1898. Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 146-147.

MILTON T. RICHARDSON, a well known publisher of New York City and for two terms President of the Village of Ridgewood, Bergen County, N. J., was born in Westford, Mass., on the 7th of February, 1843. He is the son of Thomas Richardson and Mary Fletcher, a grandson of Abijah and Elizabeth (Livingston) Richardson and of Peletiah and Sally (Woodward) Fletcher, and a great-grandson of Thomas and Hannah (Colburn) Richardson. On his father's side he is descended from Ezekiel Richardson, one of three brothers who came to this country from England in 1630. His mother's family--the Fletchers--are equally old residents of New England, her emigrant ancestor, Robert Fletcher, coming from England also in 1630. Both the Richardsons and the Fletchers as well as their collateral ancestors have long been prominent in the history of New England and other Eastern States, and for generations have contributed materially to the growth and prosperity of the communities in which they resided. Milton T. Richardson received his education at Westford Academy in Westford, Mass., and at Eastman's Business College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In these two institutions he laid the foundation upon which he has built a successful career. Soon after completing his studies he engaged in journalism and in the publishing business, and for a number of years has been successfully connected as publisher of trade and class journals at 27 Park Place, New York City. At the present time he is the publisher of the Blacksmith and Wheelwright, the Amateur Sportsman, and Boots and Shoes Weekly, being President and Treasurer of the corporation styled the M. T. Richardson Company, which publishes these well known periodicals. He is also the publisher of a large number of mechanical and technical books. These publications are known throughout the country, and represent in their respective fields the best interests of the trade and the highest attainments of trade and class publications. Mr. Richardson has achieved marked success as a publisher, and through his own energy, ability, and superior judgment has brought his periodicals to a high standard of excellence. He has also taken an active part in public life. As a resident of Ridgewood, Bergen County, N. J., he has been called upon to fill important positions of trust and responsibility, being elected, in 1892, a member of the Township Committee and later, upon the incorporation of the village, a member of the Board of Village Trustees, to which he was afterward re-elected and was twice chosen President of the village. In these capacities he rendered most efficient service to the community, bringing to his duties the same energies, ability, and thoroughness which characterize his business affairs. For a time he was a private in Company I, Sixteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. He is Vice-President of the Ridgewood Building and Loan Association and President of the Ridgewood Hall and Park Association, a member of the Ridgewood Club, and also a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the New York Press Club, of the American Trade Press Association, and in 198 was elected President of the latter body. He is also a member of the Masonic order. In 1870 Mr. Richardson married Annie M. Rochford, by whom he had three daughters: Annie Louise Richardson, Mildred Richardson, and Mrs. H. Dunbar Johnston. He married, second, in 1896, Anna J. Porter, and they have one daughter: Irene Fletcher Richardson. Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 155-157.

Romeyn, James A. The Romeyns, Romaines, and Romains, of Bergen County, claim to be of Italian lineage, which they trace to one Giacomo de Ferentino, an Italian gentleman who settled at Rongham Manor, Norfolkshire, England, in the early part of the thirteenth century, and married an English lady, Isabella de Rucham, by whom he had issue two sons, one of whom was Peter. This Peter was sent to Rome to be educated, and on his return took the surname of Romaeyn (Peter the Roman). He married a daughter of Thomas De Leicester. Many of Peter's descendants became noted men in England. One of them, Jan Romeyn, went from England to the low countries (Holland) and settled in Amsterdam. He had several children, among whom were Claes Jansen, Simeon Jansen, and Christofer Jansen. Claes and Christofer sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, to Brazil, as members of an expedition to that country commanded by Prince Maurice of Nassau. Soon after arriving in Brazil that country was ceded to Portugal, and thereupon the two Romeyns sailed for America. There is a disagreement as to the date when they arrived, but it was probably about 1661. They settled first at New Amersfoort, L. I. Christofer married, in 1678, Grietie Pieters Wyckoff, and settled in Monmouth County, N. J. Claes married (it is said), May 2, 1680, Styntie Alberts Terhune, and in 1690 went to Hackensack, where he bought four Indian fields between the Saddle River and the Hackensack River, called in his deed Wierimus, Paskack, Gemagkie, and Marroasonek. These four tracts were north of Paramus, on the east side of the Saddle River. He did not locate on these lands, but returned to New York and located in the Greenwich district of the city, where he died. His children, to whom he devised all his lands on his death, divided them into farms and mutually released or sold to actual settlers. Claes Jansen's children of the second generation were Gerrebrecht, Elizabeth, Lydia, Albert C., John C., Rachel, Sarah, and Daniel. Jan Class Romeyn (2) married, in May, 1690, Jannetie Bogert, at Hackensack, and resided on part of his father's lands. He was a member and church master of the "Church on the Green" in 1715. His issue of the third generation were Nicholas, John, Christina, Roelof, Rachel, Isaac, Angenetie, Christina, and Ursula. Nicholas Romeyn (3), baptized at Hackensack in February, 1699, married, in 1726, Elizabeth Outwater, who died in 1732. He died in 1763. He married (2) Rachel Vreeland, who died in 1761. The issue of Nicholas Romeyn (3) and his two wives of the fourth generation were Rev. Thomas Romeyn and John Romeyn. Rev. Thomas Romeyn (4), born at Pompton, N. J., March 2, 1729, died October 22, 1794. He was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1750, studied theology, and after preaching a few times on Long Island went to Holland, in 1752, for ordination, and was settled at Jamaica, L. I., until 1790. He married (1) June 29, 1756, Margaretta Frelinghuysen, who died at Jamaica, December 13, 1757. He married (2) Susanna Van Camppen. He died at Fonda, N. Y., October 22, 1794, and was buried there under the pulpit of his church. His issue of the fifth generation were seven: Rev. Theodore F., Rev. Thomas, Nicholas, Abraham, Rev. Broadhead, Benjamin, and Rev. James Van Campen. Rev. James Van Campen Romeyn (5) was born at Minsink, Sussex County, N. J., November 15, 1765, and died at Hackensack, June 27, 1840. He attended Schenectady Academy in 1784, studied theology under Rev. Theodore Romeyn, his uncle, was a Trustee of Rutgers College, and preached at several places, the last in the Reformed Church of Hackensack and Schraalenburgh from 1799 to 1833. He married (1) Susanna Maud Van Vranken, of Schenectday, and (2) Elizabeth Pell, who survived him. His issue of the sixth generation were Susan, Harriet, Anna, Maria, Rev. James, D.D., Anna, Eliza, Caroline, Theodore, and Sarah. Rev. James Romeyn (6) was born at Blooming Grove, N. J., September 30, 1797, and was graduated from Columbia College in 1816 and from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., in 1819. He declined the Doctor of Divinity degree bestowed on him by Columbia College. He preached at several places, was pastor of the old "Church on the Green" at Hackensack from 1833 to 1836, and was a Trustee of Rutgers College in 1842. He married Joanna Bayard Rodgers, daughter of John R. B. Rodgers, M.D., of Columbia College, New York. His children of the seventh generation were James R. and Theodore B. Rev. Theodore Bayard Romeyn (7) was born at Nassau, N. Y., October 22, 1827. He attended school at Hackensack and other places, was graduated from Rutgers College in 1846 and from the Theological Seminary in New Brunswick in 1849, and received the degree of D.D. from Rutgers College. He preached at Blawenburgh, N. J., and at Hackensack, and was the author of the History of the Reformed Church of the latter village. He married Amelia A. Letson, who died October 22, 1897. He died at Hackensack, August 29, 1885. His issue of the eighth generation were Mary L. (deceased) and James A., the latter being the subject of this sketch. James A. Romeyn (8) was born in Blawenburgh, N. J., May 15, 1853, and received his education at Rutgers College. He studied law with Bedle, Muirhead & McGee, of Jersey City, and successfully practiced his profession until 1890. Since then he has been the editor of the Evening Record of Hackensack, where he resides. Mr. Romeyn is a man of acknowledged ability and untiring energy, and has always taken an active part in public affairs. He was for eight years a member of the Hackensack Board of Health, and for seven years (1888-95) served as Treasurer of the Hackensack Hospital. At the bar and in the editorial chair he has won distinctions and honor, and as a citizen he is highly respected. In 1884 Mr. Romeyn married Flora May Cochran, of Lancester, Pa., who died in 1801. By her there were two children: Theodore B. and Katharine. He was married, second, in 1894, to Susie Burgess Conover, of Newark, N. J. Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 139-144.  See also, the following from, James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900: JAMES A. ROMEYN. The subject of this sketch was born at Blawenburgh, Somerset County, New Jersey, 1853. He is the only son of Rev. Theodore Bayard Romeyn, D. D. and Amelia (Letson) Romeyn. His mother was the daughter of Johnson Letson and Eliza Shaddle, of New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. Letson was a trustee of Rutgers College and a liberal contributor to its support and endowment. He was President of the Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Company and the New Brunswick Rubber Company. Dr. and Mrs. Romeyn settled at Blawenburgh in 1850, where James A. attended the public school, until 1865, when his father was settled as Pastor of the First Reformed Church at Hackensack, N. J., the "Old Church on the Green." He was prepared for college at the academy at Lawrenceville, N. J., and at the Rutgers Grammar School at New Brunswick. In 1872 he entered Rutgers College and was graduated in 1S76. He entered the law office of Bedle, Muirheid & McGee in Jersey City, in 187<«, took a course of study of Columbia Law School and was admitted to practice law at the New Jersey State Bar in 1879. He practiced law in Jersey City until 1890, part of which time was a partner in the firm of Romeyn & Griffin. The practice of law becoming distasteful to him, he abandoned it 1890. In 1894 he became editor of The Evening Record, an independent daily newspaper, published in Hackensack, the only daily in Bergen County. He entered upon the work of journalism, as he would upon the high professions with a firm conviction that it was equal, if not of more importance than the profession of theology, law or medicine. He has continued this work with great energy and success until his paper has become an important vehicle of news and thought, and a necessary institution of the city. His whole thought and discussions have been on the side of good morals and the public welfare. No questionable paragraphs have ever found place in the columns of his paper. His, has been a successful effort to make the Evening Record one of the most influential papers in this locality, an with a very flattering circulation, he has made an enviable reputation throughout the whole State. Mr. Romevn has never taken any active part in politics, though his political principles are positive and fixed. He has been called to fill places in local boards and was treasurer of the Hackensack Hospital for seven years. He married Miss Flora M. Cochran of Lancaster, Pa., in 1884, who died in 1891. From this marriage he has two children, Theodore Bayard and Katharine Cochran. He again married, Miss Susie B. Conover of Newark, N. J., in 1894.

JOHN ROMEYN, (a) John Romeyn (of Holland) married Lammatje Bougeart at Hackensack, in 1699. Of this union there were also seven children, (b) Nicholas, Roelif, Isaac, Aquietjin (David), Rachael (Berdan), Asseltjin (Van Voorheest). At this point it may be opportune to produce the names that belong under this head, as they are found in the records of the Dutch Church at Hackensack. Garrebreght Klas Romeyn, Elizabeth Romeyn, Lydia Romeyn, Jans Clasen Romeyn, Clara Romeyn, Daniel Romeyn, Rachael Janse Romeyn, Klaes Romeyn, Jan Romeyn, Geisjan Romein, Annastjen Romeyn, David Romayn, Isack Romeyn, Anguietjin Romeyn, Leude Romein, Cristyntjen Romein, Claes Romeyn, Roelif Romeyn, Nicholas Romein, Antje Romein, Guetje Romeyn, Eyntje Romeyn, Jan Romeyn, John Romeyn, Nikase Romeyn, Eliza Romeyn, Sarah Romeyn. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900

NICHOLAS ROMEYN. (b) Nicholas Romeyn was born in 1700, died in 1763, married Elizabeth Outwater 1726, who died 1732. His second wife (1733) was Rachel Vreelandt, who died in 1761. The issue by his first wife was (c) Rev. Thomas Romeyn. By his second wife, John, born 1734. The latter first married Julia and second Lady Mary Watts. Issue Eliza (Simmons), John and the Rev. Theodoric (Dirk) Romeyn, D. D., born 1744, died 1804, who married Elizabeth Broadhead. The latter was pastor of the Dutch Churches of Hackensack and Schraalenburgh about ten years. The pastorate beginning May, 1776. He is largely quoted, and in the list of names of distinguished personages, he is considered one of the prominent American theologians. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900

Rev. James Romeyn was born at Blooming Grove, N. Y., September 30, 1797. He graduated from Columbia College in 1816, and from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., in 1819. He declined the title of Doctor of Divinity bestowed on him by Columbia College. He was settled at several places—was pastor of the First Reformed Church of Hackensack from 1833 to 1836; was elected a trustee of Rutgers College in 1842. He married Joanna Bayard Rodgers, daughter of John Richardson Bayard Rodgers, M. D., a leading physician and professor in Columbia College, New York. There were two sons, James Rodgers and Theodore Bayard Romeyn. Mr. Romeyn was a man who threw his whole energy into his labor. He was a student and very precise in his work; an exceedingly rapid speaker and there are those who remember him to-day who rapturously speak of him as a wonderfully powerful preacher. His nature was exceedingly sensitive; but his physical strength was not equal to the mental strain, always at a high tension. His manner of writing his sermons was most remarkable—a few are in existence—the manuscripts are written so fine and condensed that they cannot be read without the aid of a strong magnifying glass. While in Hackensack he resided part of the time in the parsonage of the First Church, on Essex Street, and part of the time on the southeast corner of Main and Ward Streets. He died at New Brunswick, N. J., in 1862, and his ashes mingle with his kindred dust. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900.

Rev. James Van Campen Romeyn was born at Minsink, Sussex County, N. J., November 15th, 1765, died at Hackensack, June 27th, 1840, and was buried in the old churchyard on the Green, by the side of his first wife. He attended the Schenectady Academy, 1784. Studied theology under Rev. Theodoric (Dirk) Romeyn, his uncle. He was a trustee of Rutgers College. He had several charges, the last of which was the Reformed Churches of Schraalenburg and Hackensack from 1799 to 1833. "Without ever having seen or heard him, he was called to the distracted churches of Bergen County, N. J., on the ground of his reputation as a man of forbearance, discretion and piety." (Taylor's Annals, Sprague's Annals). He married twice, Susanna, a daughter of Maus Van Vranken, of Schenectady, and Mrs. Elizabeth Pell, who survived him. There was a family of two sons and seven daughters, Susan (Zabriskie) born 1790, died 1868; Harriet (Stafford) born 1792, died 1849, Anna Maria (Varick) born 1794, died 1855; Rev. James Romeyn, D. D. born 1797, died 1859; Anna (Taylor) born 1800, died 1868; Eliza (Berry) born 1803, died 1849; Caroline (Danforth) born 1807, died 1845; Theodore, born 1810, died 1885 (Lawyer, Detroit, Mich.; Sarah (Hornblower) born 1814, died 1874. They resided on the property now owned by the Oritani Field Club, in Hackensack. About 1827 he lived in the homestead now occupied by Hon. William S. Banta, Main Street, where most of his daughters were married. In 1833 he erected the house just north of the latter, on Main street, now the property of Mr. O. O. Shackleton, where he died. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900

Rev. Theodore Bayard Romeyn, D. D., was the second son of Rev. James Romeyn. He was born at Nassau, N. Y., October 22, 1827. He attended school at Hackensack and other places. He graduated from Rutgers College with the distinction of the Honorary Oration in 1846, and from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., three years later. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Rutgers College. He was called to preach Christ at Blawenburgh, N. J., near Princeton, immediately after his graduation, where he labored with a united people who reverence his memory and treasure his ministrations among them. He responded to a call from the church of Fathers—the First Reformed at Hackensack—in 1865, where for twenty years he labored "faithful unto death." He was a man whose retiring tendencies were predominant. He despised shams, and when once his mind was made up there was no compromise. He inherited a keen sensitiveness from his father. He carried the joys and the sorrows of his congregation, sharing with each member, especially in their sorrows. He was exceedingly sympathetic and his charity was a marked feature of his life, though the left hand knew not the gifts of the right. He was the embodiment of faithfulness, never shirking duty, but many were the occasions when, physically incapacitated, he responded to the calls of his parishioners, and was present at the post of duty, in the vineyard of his Master, which was always his pleasure. He was a close and persistent student, a deep thinker, eloquent in his discourses, fervent in his labors and ardent in effort to lead the erring into the paths of rectitude and to the Throne of Grace. Dr. Romeyn had been on a longer vacation than he usually indulged in and among the scenes of his boyhood, near Catskill, N. Y. He came home upon a Friday evening, the following morning the Master called—he was stricken with paralysis. His illness was of but brief duration, in a few hours he had passed into the holy atmosphere of the Delectable Mountains, August 18, 1885. His body was laid in God's acre, hard by "the old Church on the Green," from which pulpit with an unfaltering zeal he had proclaimed the unspeakable truths of his Redeemer. The following is quoted from a biographical sketch in the memorial volume published by the consistory. "It is also worth a passing notice to observe the large ministerial circle of which he was a member by family ties. His maternal great-grandfather was Rev. John Rodgers, forty-four years pastor of the Wall Street Presbyterian Church, New York City. * * * His paternal grandmother was a sister of Rev. Nicholas Van Vranken. In these several branches of relationship there are found nearly or quite forty names of those who have devoted themselves to the ministry of the Gospel, and of this number, three-quarters belong to the Romeyn family. Dr. Romeyn married Amelia A. Letson, daughter of Johnson Letson, Esq., of New Brunswick, N. J. Mrs. Romeyn survived her husband a few years and was called home October 22, 1897. The issue was Mary Letson Romeyn, who died in infancy, and James A. Romeyn, surviving. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900

(e) Rev. Thomas Romeyn (see Corwin's Manual) was born at Pompton, March 20th, 1729, and died October 22d, 1794. He graduated from the College of New Jersey, 1750. Studied theology. After preaching a few times on Long Island, he went to Holland in 1752 for ordination, and was settled at Jamaica, Long Island, until 1760. It is said that the spelling of the name Romeyn was adopted in this form from his researches in Holland. Prior to that the name was spelled in several ways; but his information obtained in Holland led him to a certainty that "Romeyn" was the proper spelling, and it is in that form to-day in Holland. He married twice, first a Margarita Freelinghuysen, June 29th, 1756, who died at Jamaica, December 13th, 1757, leaving a son, Rev. Theodore F., who died at Somerville, N. J., in 1785. Secondly, Susanna Van Campen, whose ashes rest in the graveyard of the old Church on the Green, in Hackensack. He died at Fonda, N. Y., October 22d, 1794, and was buried under the pulpit of his church. The issue was (Rev.) Thomas, Nicholas, Abraham, Rev. John Broadhead, at one time pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York (Dr. Hall's), Benjamin and Rev. James Van Campen. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900

THE ROMEYN FAMILY. Prior to the middle of the thirteenth century, Giacomo de Ferentino, an Italian gentleman, settled at Rongham Manor, Norfolk, England, married Isabella de Rucham, a lady of that place, by whom there were two sons, Peter and Richard (or Thomas). They were sent to Rome to be educated. After their return, Peter, at least, took surname of Romaeyn (Peter the Roman). Although educated for the priesthood, he married the daughter of Thomas de Leicester. Her mother's name was Agatha de Cringleford, of Norfolk. Peter Romaeyn devised property, made out leases, granted "charters," many of which still exist over the name assumed by him. His widow sold the property at Rongham in that name. In the third year of Edward II, A. D., 1387, Thomas Romayn was Lord Mayor of London. His arms (foreign) not granted in England. Described in the register "Argent" (white) on a fesse gules (red) three crosses pater or crest, a deer's head erased. Soon after the above date, troubles broke out between the king and the house of Leicester (see History of England) and many of the Leicester family and adherents were forced to flee the kingdom, and it is probable, though not a part of family history, that some of the Romayns went to the "low countries" at that time. There is a claim made that the name in France is spelled Romaine, in England, Romain, and in Holland, Romeyn —the latter we know to be a fact. Jan Romeyn, of Amsterdam, Holland, was a descendant of the Romeyns who went from England to the low countries, he had three sons, Simon Janse, Christoffel and Claas or Klass. (Note—In Valentine's Manual, 1863, is the facsimile signature of Simon Jansen Romeyn, 1661, in the Dutch Church records of New York is the marriage, 1668, of "Simon Jansen Romeyn, young man from Amsterdam and Sophie Jans, maiden from the Hague.") Christoffel and Claus sailed from Rotterdam for Brazil with the expedition of Prince Maurice. When Brazil was ceded to Portugal, they sailed for New Netherlands, and settled on Long Island (there is a dispute as to the date, some claiming 1654, others 1661), then removed to Hackensack, N. J., remaining about ten years, and later to Greenwich, on the island of New York. Claus married Christianje or Styntie Albertse Terhune, May 2, 1680, of Amsfort now (Gravesend, N. Y.), and died at Greenwich, N. Y. His children were Garrebregt, (a) John, Elizabeth, Lydia, Albert, Cora and Daniel. Daniel married in Hackensack, May 17, 1716, Martie (Mary) Westervelt. James Van Valen, History of Bergen County, New Jersey, 1900

DANIEL RUTAN was located at Esopus on the Hudson River prior to 1700. The place of his nativity does not appear, but he was no doubt a Hollander. His sons, Abraham, Daniel, Jr., and Peter, came to New Jersey and located at Aquackanonck (Passaic) as early as 1702. In 1703 Abraham married, at Hackensack, Mary Rutan, probably a near relative of his. In 1710 Daniel married Ann Hanse Spier, of Bergen, whose parents were then living at Passaic. In November, 1713, Daniel's brother Peter located at New Barbados (west of Hackensack), here he married Gertrude Vanderhoff. The Vanderhoffs and Rutans came to Bergen County from Albany about the same time. Probably they were related. The Rutans settled west of the Saddle River in the Hohokus and Paramus sections of Bergen County, where many of them still reside. Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 175-176.

THE RYERSONS are the most numerous to-day of any family in the western part of Bergen County. The original surname of the family was "Reyertzoon." The family were numerous in Amsterdam, Holland, as early as 1390, in which year one William Reyertzoon was Burgomaster of the city. Another member of the family filled the same office in 1414 and 1418. Members of this family held prominent positions in Amsterdam up to 1585. Many of them took an active part in the expulsion of the Spaniards from Holland, for which two of them were banished by the Spanish king, and another, Albert Reyertzoon, was beheaded April 12, 1537. The family coat-of-arms, as registered in Amsterdam, is described as follows: "Eradicated arz; 1 and 4 Sa. a tree withered and eradicated Arz; 2 and 3 Arz; three halberts bend ways and in bend sinister, the middle oen longer than the others, sa. the blades vert; Surtout, az., a martlet, or, Crest, a swan roussant. Motto Voor God en Faderland." The fact that the family had a coat-or-arms, of course, indicates that some of them be longed [sic] to the nobility of Holland. Martin Reyerson, with his brother, Adriaen Ryerson, emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1646, and settled at Brooklyn, where Martin married, May 14, 1663 Ann, daughter of Joris Jansen Rapeljea. He resided at Brooklyn until 1685. He joined the Dutch Church there in 1677, was elected a magistrate in 1679, and constable in 1682. In 1685 he removed to Flatbush, L. I., where he was one of the patentees of that patent that year. His issue were Marritie, Joris (George), Ryer, Catalyntie, Sarah, Cornelius, Jacobus, Geertie, Helena, and Franz. Joris (George), baptized September 19, 1666, married, August 11, 1691, Ann Schouten, widow of Theunis Dircksen Dey, of New York. In 1695 George, in company with Anthony Brockholst, Arent Schuyler, Colonel Nicholas Bayard, and John Meet, all of New York, and Samuel Berry, Henry McDonna, and David Mandeville, of New Jersey, purchased from the Governor and Council of East New Jersey, 4,000 acres of land in what was then Bergen County (now Passaic), extending northward from the junction of the Pompton River with the Passaic River. Of this large tract George Reyerson eventually became the owner of the greater part, on which he settled. His issue, baptized in New York, were Martin, 1698; Helena, 1701; George, 1703; Lucas, 1704; and Blandina, 1706. There were probably other children born in New Jersey. The descendants of these children are still numerous in Bergen and Hudson Counties. Many of them have held positions of trust and honor in the councils of the State. Source: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, Editor, Cornelius Burnham Harvey, The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900, page 179. Also see, on Internet Archive, The Ryerson Genealogy: genealogy and history of the Knickerbocker families of  Ryerson, Ryerse, Ryerss; also Adriance and Martense families, all descendants of Martin and Adriaen Reyerz (Reyerszen of Amsterdam, Holland, by Albert Winslow Ryerson, edited by Albert L. Holman, and privately printed for Edward L. Ryerson, (c) 1916. [NOTE: This book contains many, many Ryerson names, along with the spouses and children of numerous other Dutch surnames, etc. If you are connected to this family, this book is well worth reviewing.]