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Joost Janse Van Metre Born: 1656 in Gelderland, Holland
Married: Dec. 12, 1682 in New Paltz, NY Children:
Sometimes called John Van Metre of New York and " Indian Trader John". Joost Janse Van Meteren arrived in America with his parents, Jan Joosten and Macyken aboard the "Fox" on September 12, 1662. On June 10, 1663 it is believed he was one of a group of captives taken by the Minnisink Indians and held ten weeks before being rescued. It is said that this experience resulted in a fascination and rapport in dealing and exploring with Indians. He "Americanized" his name to "John Van Metre". After marrying Sara du Bois in
1664 there isn't much on record about John Sr. He was of roving
disposition spending most of his time trading and exploring the country.
The following is from Mackenzie's "Colonial Families of the U. S.",
VI. "John Van Metre, a Dutchman from the Hudson, was an Indian trader and
pioneer explorer of the Shenandoah Valley, who spied out land about the time of
Governor Spottswood's expedition in 1716. He equipped a band of Delaware
Indians at his own expense and traveled far southward and over unknown
land. On his return he advised his sons to take up lands in the
Wappatomaka Valley, on the South Branch River above " the Trough," as
it was the finest land he had ever discovered. Subsequently his sons, John
and Isaac, took his advice and petitioned Governor Gooch, in 1731, for 40,000
acres, which was granted, and which they later transferred to Jost Hite, whose
wife was Anna Maria du Bois. a near relative of Louis du Bois."
Actually date for grant was June 30 1730. John and Isaac keep choice
parcels for themselves in today's Berkeley and Hardy county West Virginia
respectively. |
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