Solomon Abelse Goewy

Most family-based resources agree that Solomon Abelse Goewy (spelled and referred to variously) was the patriarch of today's Goewy family in America. He is said to have been of Huguenot ancestry. Perhaps he was christened at the "Old Church" in Amsterdam, Holland in May 1617. He is said to have been the fifth child born to the marriage of one Abelse Poppess - who appears to have married three times.

Thus, Salomon married one "Barbara Philips" at the church in August 1638. At least their first six children were christened in Amsterdam between 1639 and about 1649. The most comprehensive family-based resource mentions two additional children without baptism particulars. Also, this individual may have been married previously.

At this point, we seek definitive information on their emigration to New Netherland. Additionally, the story of his life in the upriver region of New Netherland/New York seems to rest on a single posthumous resource.

Solomon Abelse Goewy was deceased in June/July 1668 when an affidavit filed by his heirs identified him as a native of Amsterdam and lately a carpenter (or a house carpenter's assistant) in Albany. This New Netherland pioneer had lived about fifty years.

This sketchy sketch puts forth what we hope passes for his basic story.

Sources: The life of Solomon Abelse Goewy is CAP biography number 5157. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. See also Geni.