Wolfert Gerritse van Couwenhoven
Wolfert Gerritses Van Couwenhoven | |
|---|---|
Seal of New Netherlands | |
| Schepen of New Amsterdam | |
| In office 1654–1654 | |
| Commissioner for New Netherlands to the States-General | |
| In office 1653–1653 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 May 1579 |
| Died | 1662 |
Wolfert Gerritse Van Couwenhoven (1 May 1579 – 1662), also known as Wolphert Gerretse van Kouwenhoven and Wolphert Gerretsen, was an original patentee, director of bouweries (farms), and founder of the New Netherland colony.
Along with his wife, Neeltje Janse Jacobdochter, Gerretse was one of the first Europeans to settle on Long Island, a farm he named New Amersfoort. He was a Schepen of New Amsterdam in 1654. He is noted as playing an "active role in laying the foundations of the communities of Manhattan, Albany, Rensselaer, and Brooklyn."