Birth:

Around 1598, Jans William (Woertman) was born in Amsterdam, Holland, according to Ancestry.com. Geocities.com says that he was born in England and also lists his name as John William. Byron.Johnson.com says that he was born in 1589. I have chosen the approximate date because no church record was cited for the actual date.

Geocities.com notes that the records of the Dutch Reformed Church say, “It is believed that he (Jans or John William) went from England to Holland to avoid religious persecution in 1628.” That would seem to imply that Jans William was born in England; but Ancestry.com lists his birth in Amsterdam, as well as other information. (My parenthesis and underlines.)

Gencircles.com attempts to establish a connection to England and the Puritans; however, the information did not seem convincing to me.

Of course, Jans William could have been born in Amsterdam, later gone to England, then returned due to the alleged persecution. I chose to elevate the Amsterdam birthplace and the name Jans because the information was more complete and it seems to fit in with “the rest of the story.”

Childhood, Education, Military, Occupation:

Details are unknown.

Marriage:

Around 1628, Jans William married Hannah Harmtje. They were probably married in, or near, Amsterdam, Holland, since their children are recorded in the Dutch Reformed Church of Amsterdam. Other details of their marriage are unknown.

Married Life:

Jans William and Hannah may have had four children, two boys and two girls. The boys were: Richard (b. ?) and Dirck Jans (b. c 1636). The girls were: Elizabeth Jan (b. ?) and Annetje Lodowwycke (b, ?). It is unknown where most were born; however. Church records show that Dirck was born in Amsterdam.

Regarding the children, ByronJohnson.com says, “... In church records the patronymic pattern was followed almost completely so that John’s son, Richard, is recorded as Dirck Jansen very frequently.” This reference casts doubt on the “two” sons; therefore, there may actually have been only one –at least, Richard and Dirck Jans were most likely one and the same, although there may have been others.

Religion:    

Jans William probably belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church.

Health:

Details are unknown.

Death:

On January 10, 1640, Jans William died in Amsterdam, Holland. Further details of his death are unknown.