Wolfert Gerritse van Couwenhoven
Wolfert Gerritse Van Couwenhoven (1 May 1579 – 1662), also known as Wolphert Gerretse van Kouwenhoven and Wolphert Gerretse, was an original patentee, director of bouweries (farms), and a founder of the New Netherland colony.
Wolfert Gerritses Van Couwenhoven | |
|---|---|
Seal of New Netherlands | |
| Schepen of New Amsterdam | |
| In office 1654–1654 | |
| Commissioner for New Netherlands to the States-General | |
| In office 1653–1653 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 May 1579 |
| Died | 1662 |
He and his wife, Neeltje Janse Jacobdochter, were one of the first Europeans to settle on Long Island, a farm he named New Amersfoort. He was a Schepen of New Amsterdam in 1654. He is noted as playing an "active role in laying the foundations of the communities of Manhattan, Albany, Rensselaer, and Brooklyn."
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