The first distinctly to be named Tietsoort in this country was Willem Abrahamse Tietsoort, No. 2, early of Schenectady. His name "Abrahamse" indicates that he was the son of an Abraham, but no birth or baptism is distinctly recorded. The occurrence of the name Aeghje, Aechtje or Agatha among Willem Abramse's daughters renders it possible that Willem's mother was an Aeghje, but I have found no Willem, son of Abraham who by any imagination could be Willem Abrahamse Tietsoort, except the Willem, bpt. 2 Aug, 1648 (2 NY D. Ch. 24), son of Abraham Willemszen "van Amsterdam," and Archtje Jans, his wife, "van Naerden," who were md. 27 April, 1647 (NY D. Ch. 14). Aechtje Jans appears a few years later as wife of Peter Casparszen van Naerden. The matter is pure conjecture.

2. WILLEM ABRAHAMSE TIETSOORT

recognized generally as the emigrant, son of Abraham and husband of Neeltje Swart, was in Schenectady as early as 1676. Some items of his history appear from later papers. On a petition, now of record (NY Land Papers,, 5.4, p. 104), not dated, but acted upon 10th September, 1707, Willem Tietsoort describes himself as of Ulster Co., NY, a blacksmith, and states that in the year 1698 (*) he was, with others, surprised at the fearful massacre by the French and Indians at "Skenecticut" i.e., Schenectady, which is so well described in Pearson's History of the Schenectady Patent. The massacre almost wiped out Schenectady and its settlers, and occurred during a period of fearful cold. At Schenectady, Willem had lived among the Indians for about

(*) The last two digits of the date here appear to have been juxtaposed. The massacre at Schenectady occurred Feb 8, 1689 as per the calendar in use at the time. Later references occassionally have the event occurring in 1690; but in 1689 the new year began in March. [prt]