Jannetje Michaelson Reyers
1693-1770
Born: Fordham, Westchester, New York, United States
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1693-1770
Born: Fordham, Westchester, New York, United States
<blockquote>Will dated 10/1/1770 under Benjamin Coursens, Fordham, NY.<br>Benjamin's wife wasJannetje (Michaelsen) Reyers, daughter of Ryer Michaelsen (also Michelsen) from the Manor of Fordham.<br><br>Benjamin Coursen, Corszen or Corsa the eighth child of the nine children of Jan and Metje (Cray) Corszen, was born in New Amsterdam (New York City) and baptized there in the Old Dutch Reformed Church. The witnesses to his baptism were Governor Benjamin Fletcher and his wife, and this fact bears out the family tradition that he was the namesake of the Governor, whose term of office began with the year 1692. His residence at the time of his majority was in Fordham, then under the jurisdictions of New York County. He married Jannetje (Jane) Reyers. In the records she is described as a young woman from the Manor of Fordham, and he is called a young man from New York. His will dated October 1, 1770, is on record in Westchester County, and he died December 22, of the same year, when the will was proved. It was witnessed by Tunis and Henry Michaelsen and Francis Godfrie. The will directs the estate to be sold, leaves legacies to children, and disposes of lands now occupied by Fordham University. The homestead mansion was still standing in 1927 (when French's "History of Westchester", this source, was written) and being used as an infirmary. A street in the vicinity in honor of the family is named Corsa Street (Note:see map of Bronx/Fordham, New York. In 1993 Corsa Street remained residential and nicely kept).<br><br>As of 1927 Southern Boulevard crosses the old grave yards in which many of the Corsa family are buried. Many were later buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. When Benjamin was born his surname was spelled Coursen, when married it was Corsse, in the will of Reyer Michelsen, of Fordham, a legacy is mentioned to his daughter Jane, wife of Benjamin Corsa, and in his own will he is called Benjamin Coursens of the Manor of Fordham.</blockquote>