Jan Clute
by
Stefan Bielinski


Spelled variously (Knoet), the first Jan Clute was born in Europe and emigrated to New Netherland. Called "Captain Jan Clute," he is said to have come from "Neurenberg" and was in Beverwyck by 1656. During the third quarter of the seventeenth century, he was known as a frontier land and fur trader.

In 1657, he is said to have purchased a garden behind Fort Orange. In 1663, he purchased a lot on the hill from Sander Glen.

In 1666, he purchased a number of varied items from the estate of Cornelis Bogardus.

In 1669, he purchased an island in the Mohawk at Canastigione. In 1670, he was one of a number of owners who sold land at Coxsackie. In 1681, he liquidated his holdings on the Murderers Creek - which flowed east into the Hudson.

In 1674, "Lieutenant Jan Clute" was among those invited to the funeral of Jeremias Van Rensselaer.

He also was identified as a resident of Albany. In 1679, his name appeared on a list of Albany householders and he was assessed one of the highest taxes on the community-wide levy.

He probably did not marry. In 1683, his brothers and sisters were living in "Niewen Roy," North Brabant, Holland.

He filed a will in 1683. It left a substantial estate to his nephew and namesake. Jan Clute was dead by December 11, 1684 when his will passed probate!

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Jan Clute is CAP biography number 1633. Sometimes called"Lieutenant" or Captain," his surname has many spelling variations. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. Notes from the Schenectady Digital History Archive.




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first posted: 2/10/04; updated 12/31/12