Ryerson family papers and photographs
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Abstract
The Ryerson family papers and photographs contain deeds, wills, invoices, receipts, account books, architectural records, tax records, genealogical notes, minutes, and photographs relating to the Ryerson family of Brooklyn. The collection spans the 18th and 19th centuries with the bulk of the collection from the 19th century. John and Jacob Ryerson inherited family farmland in Wallabout. The brothers also owned farmland in Flatlands on New Lots Road near Kings Highway. Also, a Ryerson family homestead was located on what is now the Parade Grounds in Prospect Park. Variations of the Ryerson family name include Adriance, Martense, Ryers, and Ryerse.
Biographical note
The Ryerson family of Brooklyn descended from early Dutch settlers who immigrated to New Netherland as early as 1623. Marten Ryerson first came to New Amsterdam around 1647. He arrived with his brother Adriaen and they settled in Flatbush, now a neighborhood in Brooklyn. The Ryerson brothers operated a large farm that ran along what is now Flatbush Avenue.
On May 14, 1663, Marten Ryerson married Annetje Joris de Rapelje in the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church of Brooklyn. Annetje was the daughter of Joris Jansen de Rapelje and Catalina de Rapelje (nee Tricot). The Rapeljes were one of the first Dutch families to settle in Fort Orange in 1623. Fort Orange was one of the two original Dutch trading posts that were located in what is now Albany, N.Y. From Fort Orange, the Rapelje family moved first to New Amsterdam and then across Wallabout Bay, now Upper New York Bay, to Wallabout, the area of land extending eastward into Brooklyn from Wallabout Bay. Today, Wallabout would include the DUMBO and Vinegar Hill neighborhoods of Brooklyn. In addition to being the first area settled by Europeans in Brooklyn, Wallabout was also the site of the first ferry landing between Manhattan and Brooklyn in 1637.
Several generations later, John and Jacob Ryerson inherited family farmland in Wallabout. The brothers also owned farmland in Flatlands on New Lots Road near Kings Highway. Also, a Ryerson family homestead was located on what is now the Parade Grounds in Prospect Park.
Variations of the Ryerson family name include Adriance, Martense, Ryers, and Ryerse.
Sources:
- Ryerson, Albert Winslow. The Ryerson genealogy: genealogy and history of the Knickerbocker families of Ryerson, Ryerse, Ryerss; also Adriance and Martense families; all descendants of Martin and Adriaen Reyerz (Reyerszen), of Amsterdam, Holland. Chicago: Privately printed for E.L. Ryerson, 1916.
- Ryerson, Louis Johnes. The Genealogy of the Ryerson Family in America, 1646-1902. New York: Jenkins & McCowan, 1902.
Scope and Contents note
The Ryerson family papers and photographs contain deeds, wills, invoices, receipts, account books, architectural records, tax records, genealogical notes, minutes, and photographs relating to the Ryerson family of Brooklyn. The collection spans the 18th and 19th centuries with the bulk of the collection from the 19th century. The collection is organized into two series: Ryerson family papers and Ryerson family photographs.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
Reproduction rights for the photographs have not been evaluated. Please consult library staff for more information.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Ryerson family papers and photographs, ARC.095, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of William Navin, 1994.
About this Guide
Processing Information note
Minimally processed to the series level.
This collection combines the accessions 1994.017, 1994.018, and V1995.018.
Additional content contributed by Emily Reynolds (January 2011) and John Zarrillo (December 2014).
