Johannes Provoost

Johannes Provoost is said to have been born in Amsterdam in 1636. He was the son of Elias and Agnietie Provoost. His father died that same year and Agnietie re-married. In 1638, Johannes came to New Netherland with his mother and step-father. He was the only surviving child of his mother's three marriages.

Johannes Provoost married three times. His first wife was Sara Staats. Following her death, he married Sara Webbers in June 1685. Two years later, he married the widow Anna Mauritz. He was a member of the Albany Dutch church and his children - all from the first marriage, were baptized in Albany.

Provoost's mother's third husband was New Netherland official Johannes De La Mongagne. As an "excellent penman," Johannes was named clerk and deputy clerk under his step-father in a number of offices including that of clerk at Fort Orange. He was known in Beverwyck/Albany as a notary, clerk, and secretary. He is said to have been "sheriff of Albany" in 1678. In 1684, he was identified as the "vendue master."

In 1679, his name appeared on a list of Albany householders.

In 1685, he filed a joint will with his second wife. Johannes Provoost was dead by August 1696 when his estate was to be sold to pay his debts.

Sources: The life of Johannes Provoost is CAP biography number 6449. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. See also, Andrew J. Provost, Jr. "History of the Provoost Family of New Amsterdam and Colonial New York from 1545 to 1724." NYGBR volume 89 (1958) 205 and 90 (1959) 31-41. See also, "The Provost Manuscript" online.