Banta Family Descendants

FIRST GENERATION 1. Epcke Luvesc was born Unknown in Holland. He died between 1621 and 1630 in Holland. He was married to Sil Cornelisdr. They owned an estate in Minnertaga in Friesland, the most northern of the provinces of Holland. The area had originally been settled by the Saxons. The ownership of their estate entitled them to a vote in the "Laaddag", the County Assembly. Sil Cornelisdr was born Unknown in Holland. She died before May 1650 in Holland. Epcke Luvesc and Sil Cornelisdr had the following children: 2 i. Lyuew Epckesdr (born Unknown). 3 ii. Foockel Epckesdr (born Unknown). 4 iii. Anna Epckesdr (born Unknown). 5 iv. Cornelius Epckesdr (born Unknown). 6 v. Jacob Epckesdr (born Unknown). SECOND GENERATION 2. Lyuew Epckesdr was born Unknown in Holland. He died Unknown in Holland. He was married to Hin Jarichadr on September 9, 1618. Hin Jarichadr was born Unknown in Holland. She died Unknown in Holland. 3. Foockel Epckesdr was born Unknown in Holland. She died Unknown in Holland. She was married to Tialle Sybrensz. Tialle Sybrensz was born Unknown in Holland. He died Unknown in Holland. 4. Anna Epckesdr was born Unknown in Holland. She died Unknown in Holland. She was married to Teecke Idsen. Teecke Idsen was born Unknown in Holland. He died Unknown in Holland. 5. Cornelius Epckesdr was born Unknown in Holland. He died between 1650 and 1653 in Holland. He was married to Antie Janadr. Antie Janadr was born Unknown in Holland. She died Unknown in Holland. 6. Jacob Epckesdr was born Unknown in Holland. In 1640 Jacob was living in Arum in the northern part of Friesland. At that time, he was shown in the voter's lists as being a user (not the owner) of an estate with a vote. In 1653, he bought two lots at Minnertaga from his brother, Lyuwe. He died after February 1656 in Holland. He was married to Reytake Sickedr. Reytake Sickedr was born Unknown in Holland. She died Unknown in Holland. Jacob Epckesdr and Reytake Sickedr had the following children: 7 i. Epke Jacobs (born Unknown). THIRD GENERATION 7. Epke Jacobs was born Unknown in Holland. Epke and his wife lived in the vicinity of Harlingen, an important seaport of Friesland. Research indicates that he was a miller, the owner of a "wintmolen" or windmill. They lived first at Oosterbierum where their son Seba was born, and later at Minnertsga where their other children were born. These are both small villages within a mile of the Zuyder Zee. This part of Friesland is flat and much of it is below sea level and protected by dykes. Land had become scarce in Holland. Freedom of religion had drawn many people from other countries, which put a strain on an already over-crowded country. This may have been a factor in why Epke chose to emigrate to America. He immigrated in 1659 to America. The family left Friesland, Holland late in 1658 or early the next year and set sail for America. They arrived in New Netherland on February 12, 1659 on the ship DeTrouw (The Faith) with Captain Jan Jansen Bestevaer. They settled in Flushing on Long Island about eleven miles from New Amsterdam, where they became innkeepers. Twelve years later on December 29, 1671, Epke purchased a grist mill in the adjoining town of Jamaica. Sometime after their arrival, the family discarded the use of the patronymic naming system. As you can see from the early generations, the use of a family surname was not practiced by the inhabitants of Friesland, and thus to distinguish one John from another, for example, there was added the baptismal name of the father, usually with the addition of se, s, or sen indicating relationship. Thus, Epke, son of Jacob, was known as Epke Jacobs or Jacobse. The first use of the Banta family name so far as is known started in 1640 in Holland where he had begun to sign his name as Jacobi Epkes te Bonta. This appears in the States Archives in Friesland at Leewarden. Translated, the spelling means "Jacob Epkes at Bonta". Most likely it was derived from the fact that Epke's grandparents had a farm named Bonta near the Frisian Arum. In America the first use of the surname appears in the records of the Dutch Reformed Church records of Hackensack, NJ on August 22, 1696. For a short time thereafter the name appeared sometimes as Banta and sometimes as Epke. Research indicates that since the name was not used in Holland by any other family, it is safe to assume that all those bearing the Banta name descend from Epke Jacobs. Long Island was partly inhabited by English and partly by Dutch. Both countries felt they owned it. The English King promised the island to his brother, James the Duke of York. They sent Captain John Scott to Long Island. He arrived at the end of December 1663, where he took over some of the Dutch villages. Peter Stuyvesant was unable to come to the aid of the villages because his troops were engaged in hostilities with the Indians. After several months, the English sent ships into the Hudson River, and Stuyvesant was forced to surrender. When the English came to power, they imposed heavy taxes on the Dutch settlers. Epke Jacobs sold his mill on Long Island sometime before 1675 and moved his family to New Jersey. Many other Dutch families followed suit. He died Unknown. He was married to Tyeeta Dirckadr before 1652. Tyeeta Dirckadr was born Unknown. She died between 1659 and 1675. Epke Jacobs and Tyeeta Dirckadr had the following children: 8 i. Cornelius Epke (born in 1652). 9 ii. Seba Epke (born in 1654). 10 iii. Hendrick Epke Banta (born in 1655). 11 iv. Derrick Epke (born in 1657). 12 v. Weart Epke (born in May 1658). FOURTH GENERATION 8. Cornelius Epke was born in 1652 in Oosterbierum, Friesland, Holland. He died Unknown. He was married to Jannetje DePre. Jannetje DePre was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 9. Seba Epke was born in 1654 in Oosterbierum, Friesland, Holland. He died Unknown. He was married to Mary Arianse Sip on November 6, 1678. Mary Arianse Sip was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 10. Hendrick Epke Banta was born in 1655 in Minnertaga, Friesland, Holland. He immigrated in 1659 to America. See the notes for his father, Epke Jacobs. The area around Hackensack, NJ had been settled by a group of French Huguenots in 1666 led by David Demarest. A large group of Dutch emigrated from New York shortly after this and plans were made almost immediately for the formation of a Dutch church, which eventually many of the Huguenots joined. The "Church on the Green" was completed by 1696. Placed in the east wall of the church is Hendrick Epke Banta's initials and the Demarest Heart Stone with the date "1696" and David's initials. The church was still standing as of 1985. Hendrick was installed as a Deacon of the church on July 25, 1686 and was installed as an Elder in May of 1705. On November 30, 1695, Hendrick, his brothers Cornelius, Seba and Derrick, and six other men purchased a large tract of land running from Overpeck Creek to the Hudson River and more than two miles in breadth from north to south. It included a large portion of the present townships of Englewood and Palisade, and comprised about 3,000 acres. The purchase price was one hundred pounds, money of New York. He died Unknown in New Jersey. He was married to Maritije Lubbertse Westervelt. Maritije Lubbertse Westervelt was born Unknown. She died Unknown. Hendrick Epke Banta and Maritije Lubbertse Westervelt had the following children: 13 i. Jacob Banta (born on November 26, 1679). 14 ii. Angenitie Banta (born on April 18, 1682). 15 iii. Roelof Banta (born on August 25, 1683). 16 iv. Sieske Banta (born Unknown). He was married to Angenitie Hendricks between 1684 and 1695. Angenitie Hendricks was born Unknown. She died Unknown. Hendrick Epke Banta and Angenitie Hendricks had the following children: 17 i. Hendrick Banta II (born on January 13, 1696). 18 ii. Margriete Banta (born on June 14, 1700). 11. Derrick Epke was born in 1657 in Minnertaga, Friesland, Holland. He died Unknown. He was married to Ester Dedricks. Ester Dedricks was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 12. Weart Epke was born in May 1658 in Minnertaga, Friesland, Holland. He died Unknown. He was married to Gerritje Jillis Mandeville. Gerritje Jillis Mandeville was born Unknown. She died Unknown. FIFTH GENERATION 13. Jacob Banta was born on November 26, 1679. He died Unknown. He was married to Diever Hendrickse. Diever Hendrickse was born Unknown. She died Unknown. He was married to Jannetie Van Horn. Jannetie Van Horn was born Unknown. She died Unknown. He was married to Cornelis de Graew. Cornelis de Graew was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 14. Angenitie Banta was born on April 18, 1682. She died Unknown. She was married to Jacobus Hendricks Brinkerhoff. Jacobus Hendricks Brinkerhoff was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 15. Roelof Banta was born on August 25, 1683. He died Unknown. 16. Sieske Banta was born Unknown. She died Unknown. She was married to Jacob Van Winkle. Jacob Van Winkle was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 17. Hendrick Banta II was born on January 13, 1696 in Hackensack, NJ. He died Unknown in Hackensack, NJ. He was buried in Church on the Green Cemetery. He was married to Gertrude Terhune in Hackensack, NJ. Bantas of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky reports that Gertrude was the daughter of a local blacksmith. They were married in her father's home, built in 1659 and still standing until 1951. Gertrude Terhune was born Unknown. She died Unknown. Hendrick Banta II and Gertrude Terhune had the following children: 19 i. Hendrick Banta III (born in 1718). 20 ii. Wyntie Banta (born on August 13, 1721). 21 iii. Angenitie Banta (born on April 17, 1724). 22 iv. Albert Banta (born on August 29, 1728). 18. Margriete Banta was born on June 14, 1700 in Bergen County, NJ. She died Unknown. She was married to Roelof Martense. Roelof Martense was born Unknown. He died Unknown. SIXTH GENERATION 19. Hendrick "Henry" Banta III was born in 1718 in Bergen County, NJ. On Christmas Day in 1758 a consistory was constituted for the new Reformed Church of Bedminster and Hendrick was chosen as an Elder. By now, he was known as Henry. He and his family moved to Somerset County, NJ between 1750 and 1752, and stayed approximately 15 years before moving on. He died before October 1805 in Shelby County, KY. He was married to Rachel Brower on August 12, 1738 in New Jersey. Rachel Brower was born Unknown. She died about 1750, shortly after the family moved to Somerset County, NJ. Hendrick Banta III and Rachel Brower had the following children: 23 i. Hendrick Banta (born on July 27, 1740). 24 ii. Abraham Banta (born on April 18, 1742). 25 iii. Leah Banta (born on January 15, 1744). 26 iv. Abraham Banta (born on July 2, 1745). 27 v. Albert Banta (born on April 20, 1747). 28 vi. Gertuid Banta (born on December 3, 1749). He was married to Antie Demarest (daughter of Samuel Demarest and Leah [Unknown]) in 1750. Antie Demarest was born Unknown. She died Unknown. They had 15 children, but the names of two of them are unknown. Hendrick Banta III and Antie Demarest had the following children: 29 i. Rachel Banta (born on December 19, 1751). 30 ii. Samuel Banta (born on June 13, 1753). 31 iii. Pieter Banta (born on February 9, 1755). 32 iv. John Banta (born in September 1756). 33 v. Cornelius Banta (born in 1760). 34 vi. Daniel Banta (born in 1765). 35 vii. Jacob Banta (born Unknown). 36 viii. Mary Banta (born on March 29, 1767). 37 ix. Antie Banta (born on October 23, 1769). 38 x. David Banta (born on May 31, 1772). 39 xi. Isaac Banta (born on August 24, 1773). 40 xii. Angenietie Banta (born on July 23, 1775). 41 xiii. Hendrick Banta (born on March 1, 1778). 20. Wyntie Banta was born on August 13, 1721 in Hackensack, NJ. She died Unknown. She was married to Samuel Duryea on August 5, 1744. Samuel Duryea was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 21. Angenitie Banta was born on April 17, 1724 in Hackensack, NJ. She died Unknown. 22. Albert Banta was born on August 29, 1728. He died on September 29, 1810 in Kentucky. He was married to Lena Van Voorhees on November 28, 1756. Lena Van Voorhees was born Unknown. She died Unknown. SEVENTH GENERATION 23. Hendrick Banta was born on July 27, 1740 in Hackensack, NJ. He died before 1780 in Pennsylvania. He was married to Maria Stryker. Maria Stryker was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 24. Abraham Banta was born on April 18, 1742 in Hackensack, NJ. He died Unknown. He died as an infant. 25. Leah Banta was born on January 15, 1744 in Hackensack, NJ. She died Unknown. She was married to Jacobus Montfort. Jacobus Montfort was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 26. Abraham Banta was born on July 2, 1745 in Hackensack, NJ. He immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky. Abraham and other members of the Banta and Shively families settled at Harrod's Station. He later helped form the Low Dutch Company, which bought land in Shelby and Henry Counties. Bantas of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky reports that in the Spring of 1784, Abraham Banta secured a tract of three thousand acres in what is now Shelby County and Henry County, KY, from Richard Beard. In 1785, determined to have a look at their purchase before the main group removed to the new location, Captain Dan Banta, with his brothers Cornelius, Peter, John, Jacob, and their brother- in-law, Henry Shively set out from Harrod's Station for what is now Shelby County. They went into the dense wilderness and built the first cabin within the limits of the Dutch tract. They were there but a short time when they were threatened with an Indian uprising, and were compelled to flee to the nearest station for refuge. This place was so poorly manned and provisioned that they decided to send to Harrod's Station for reinforcements. Jacob B. Banta volunteered to go alone. While crossing the waters of Benson's Creek at night he was discovered by the Indians who murdered him with his own tomahawk which they left buried in his skull as a token of revenge. He been married only a few weeks to Catharine Voorhees. The others returned to Harrod's Station when it became safe to venture out, and reported it was not safe for the families to attempt a settlement in the isolated wilderness. John Heinrich Shively’s son, John M. Shively, wrote the following: "It was at Brownsville, PA that my father first fell in with Daniel Boone, who induced the settlement to emigrate to Kentucky. The parties that came to Kentucky were Christian Shively, Henry Shively, Jacob Shively, and one other brother who was killed by Indians in Henry County, KY. My father settled at the Falls of the Ohio and they were comparatively secure, when Boone visited them and persuaded them to emigrate to Danville, KY to help strengthen the settlement there. Boone was leading them when they were surrounded on a stream called Benson, in Henry County, and the greater portion of them were massacred by the Indians. Here one of my father's brothers was captured [and killed]. In this vicinity, they also ambushed a brother of my mother's. His name was Banta." On March 13, 1786 the acquisition of 5,945 acres from Squire Boone was at last finalized. Squire Boone, Daniel's brother, was a Baptist preacher who had first explored Kentucky as early as 1770. This property he sold the Dutch group was adjoining the first purchase acquired from Richard Beard which gave them a total of 8,945 acres. Three hundred acres were assigned to Boone; one thousand acres were sold immediately to Samuel Demarest, father- in-law of Henry Banta, Sr., in order that they might be able to meet their first installation on the payment of the property. This left a total of 7,610 acres belonging to the Low Dutch Company; approximately 3,500 lay in Shelby County and 5,100 in Henry County. He died Unknown. He was married to Margrieta Montfort in 1768. Margrieta Montfort was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 27. Albert Banta was born on April 20, 1747 in Hackensack, NJ. He died Unknown. He was married to Styntie Montfort. Styntie Montfort was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 28. Gertuid Banta was born on December 3, 1749 in Hackensack, NJ. She died Unknown. 29. Rachel Banta was born on December 19, 1751 in Bergen County, NJ. She died on December 22, 1831. She was married to Theodore Williamson on June 22, 1767. Theodore Williamson was born Unknown. He died Unknown. She was married to Simon Van Arsdale. Simon Van Arsdale was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 30. Samuel Banta was born on June 13, 1753 in Somerset, NJ. He died about 1835 in Mercer County, KY. He was married to Dyna Dorland about 1771. Dyna Dorland was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 31. Pieter Banta was born on February 9, 1755 in Somerset, NJ. He immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky. See the notes for his brother, Abraham Banta. He died on May 11, 1832. He was married to Elizabeth Cosijn. Elizabeth Cosijn was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 32. John Banta was born in September 1756 in Somerset, NJ. He immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky. See the notes for his brother, Abraham Banta. He died about 1815. He was married to Mary "Polly" Riker. Mary Riker was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 33. Cornelius Banta was born in 1760 in Somerset, NJ. He immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky. See the notes for his brother, Abraham Banta. He died in 1835. He was married to Mary Magdalena Shuck Durie. Mary Magdalena Shuck Durie was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 34. Daniel Banta was born in 1765 in Somerset, NJ. He died on December 15, 1827. He was married to Annie Shuck Durie on June 5, 1784. Annie Shuck Durie was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 35. Jacob Banta was born Unknown in Somerset, NJ. He immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky. See the notes for his brother, Abraham Banta. He died after 1780. He was killed by Indians. He was married to Catharine Voorhees in 1780. Catharine Voorhees was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 36. Mary Banta was born on March 29, 1767 in Somerset, NJ. The Shively Family Bible lists her birth date as December 1766. She immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky. See the notes for her brother, Abraham Banta. She and her husband and most of their children immigrated between 1825 and 1828 to Orange County, IN. Henry’s 1825 land purchase lists him as a resident of Kentucky. An 1828 land sale lists him as a resident of Indiana. She appeared on the census in 1830 in Orange County, IN. She appeared on the census in 1840 in Orange County, IN, in the household of Michael and Sarah Shively Mavity. She died on December 16, 1844 in Orange County, IN. She was buried in Johnson Family Cemetery, Orange County, IN. She was married to John Heinrich "Henry" Shively (son of Johann Michael Shively and Christina [Unknown]) on March 15, 1783 in Harrodsburg, KY. John Heinrich Shively was born on January 27, 1759 in York County, PA. The Shively Family Bible lists his birth date as June 1760. He was baptized on March 4, 1759 in Sherman's (St. David's) Union Church, York County, PA. A "union" church was one in which both the Lutheran and Reformed congregations worshiped in the same building. He immigrated about 1780 to Kentucky, along with the Bantas. See the notes for his brother-in-law, Abraham Banta. He immigrated between 1825 and 1828 to Orange County, IN. He appeared on the census in 1830 in Orange County, IN. He appeared on the census in 1840 in Orange County, IN, in the household of Michael and Sarah Shively Mavity. He died on June 14, 1842 in Syria, Orange County, IN. The True American (June 18, 1842) reported "Died at the residence of Michael Mavity, on June 14, 1842, Mr. Henry Shively, aged 82 years. He emigrated to Kentucky at an early age. He was married in Harrods Station in the year 1783 to Mary Banta, with whom he lived until the day of his death. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for many years, and left his friends enjoying the pleasing hope that his spirit is with Him who gave him." He was buried in Johnson Family Cemetery, Orange County, IN. Mary Banta and John Heinrich Shively had the following children: 42 i. Anna Shively (born on September 3, 1784). 43 ii. Polly Shively (born on June 17, 1787). 44 iii. Elizabeth R. Shively (born on May 17, 1790). 45 iv. Sarah Shively (born on March 23, 1792). 46 v. Rachel Shively (born on January 9, 1794). 47 vi. Nancy Shively (born on November 1, 1795). 48 vii. Jacob Banta Shively (born on December 25, 1797). 49 viii. Henry B. Shively (born on January 1, 1799). 50 ix. Susan Shively (born on February 12, 1802). 51 x. John M. Shively (born on April 2, 1804). 52 xi. Philip Shively (born on July 12, 1806). 53 xii. Martha Mahala Shively (born on October 17, 1808). See the Shively Descendants sheet for more information on this family. 37. Antie Banta was born on October 23, 1769 in Conewago, York County, PA. She died on April 25, 1852. She was married to Barnett Rynierson on June 6, 1786. Barnett Rynierson was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 38. David Banta was born on May 31, 1772 in Conewago, York County, PA. He died in 1845. He was married to Mary DeMott on January 1, 1792. Mary DeMott was born Unknown. She died Unknown. 39. Isaac Banta was born on August 24, 1773 in Conewago, York County, PA. He died Unknown. 40. Angenietie Banta was born on July 23, 1775 in Conewago, York County, PA. She died Unknown. She was married to William Gordon. William Gordon was born Unknown. He died Unknown. 41. Hendrick Banta was born on March 1, 1778 in Indian Springs, York County, PA. He died on February 28, 1854. He was married to Molly Van Arsdale on February 18, 1799. Molly Van Arsdale was born Unknown. She died Unknown. SOURCES 1. "The Bantas Of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky" by Joan England Murray. 2. Gary Lane. 3. Johnson Family Cemetery. 4. Federal census records. 5. Shively Family Bible. NOTES 1. Census data is listed as follows: Head of Household: Census year and location, family members and ages, and other facts where appropriate. Family Members: Census year and location, and other facts where appropriate. 2. The spelling of names in obituaries, newspaper articles and census records is often incorrect. Early censuses were done verbally, with the census taker often spelling the name based on how it was pronounced. The spelling could be different in every census. The same thing occurred in obituaries and newspaper articles. However, in most cases these items are reported in this document just as they were written. REPORT INFORMATION Created by: Robert E. Lane 2309 North 12th Street Terre Haute, IN 47804 Email: robert.lane11@verizon.net Date: July 10, 2001