Thomas Janse Mingael

by


According to traditional sources, Thomas Janse Mingael was born during the first part of the seventeenth century. He is said to have been the son of New Netherland pioneer Jan Thomase. As he married twice, at this point, we are uncertain about the identity of his mother. Those parents lived in New Amsterdam. Jan Thomase was dead by 1642 when his widow "had the paternal estate settled upon her children."

Perhaps by 1650, Thomas Janse had married "Maria Abrahams" [Van Deusen or Witbeck but not Vosburgh]. His marriage to Maria Abrahams produced several children who raised families in the colony. These Mingaels settled in Beverwyck where he was among those who took part in the initial distribution of houselots during the early 1650s. His house was said to have been on the west side of what became Market Street.

He was said to have been a carpenter and householder who appeared before the town court during the 1650s in different capacities. His name does not appear on either list of significant fur traders who petitioned the court in 1660. He also is said to have purchased a yacht called "The Flower of Gilder."

Beverwyck resident Thomas Janse Mingael was dead by 1662. A year later, his widow re-married.

We are left with many questions regarding the life of this individual. The core identity of his wife is among the most often mis-represented of them!


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Thomas Janse Mingael is CAP biography number 6189. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

Birth: Traditional sources provide conflicting information on his place of birth and on the name of his wife.





first posted: 1/30/06; last corrected 3/1/12