90 HISTORY OF BROOKLYN.

lawsuit, in 1643, relative to the sale of a shallop, it may be inferred that he was at that time engaged in the trade of a shipwright. In

great burghers in New Amsterdam, and was one of the schepens of the city in the years 1655, ’56, ’61, and ’63 (O’Callaghan’s Register of New Netherland, ’61-3, 174). He was twice married (New York Manual, 1862). Valentine says (Hist. of New York, 73) that he died in 1691, without issue. In this statement in regard to his being the first person of European parentage born in New Netherland, there are some notable points. The first trading voyages to Hudson’s River were made by the Dutch in 1613-14, and the first wintering or habitation there was in 1614-15. There must have been, therefore, one European woman, at least, in the country at that early period. Whether Jean Vigne's parents returned to Holland or remained here, during the obscure period between the time of his birth and the occupation of the country by the West India Company, it is impossible to determine. Either may have been the case. If the statement, however, be correct—and there is nothing inconsistent in it with the history of the colony, as far as known—Jean Vigne was not only the first born of European parents in New Netherland, but, as far as known, in the whole United States north of Virginia. We deem it of sufficient importance to give here the statement of our travellers in regard to him in the original language: Wijhadden ind it geseltschap gesproken den eerst geboren mans-persoon van Europianen in Nieu Nedorlant, genoemt Jean Vigne. Sijne ouders waren van Valencijn, en hij was nu ontrent 65 jaer out, synde ook een brauwer en buerman van onse oude luij.”

In regard to the erroneous tradition which has given to Breuckelen the honor of being the birth-place of Sarah Rapalie, we quote the words of one of her descendants, the author of the History of the Bergen Family, who says: “The early historians of this State and locality, led astray by a petition presented by her, April 4th, 1656 (when she resided at the Walle-boght), to the Governor and Council, for some meadows, in which she states that she is the ‘first born Christian child in New Netherlands,’ assert that she was born at the WalIe-boght. Judge Benson, in his writings, even ventures to describe the house where this took place. He says: ‘On the point of land formed by the cove in Brooklyn, known as the Walle-boght, lying on its westerly side (it should have been easterly), was built the first house on Long Island, and inhabited by Joris Jansen de Rapalie, one of the first white settlers on the island, and in which was born Sarah Rapalie, the first white child of European parentage born in the State.’ In this, if there is any truth in the depositions of Catalyn or Catalyntie Trico, (daughter of Jeronomis Trico of Paris), Sarah’s mother (see appendix to this History), they are clearly mistaken. According to theme depositions, she and her husband, Joris Janse de Rapalie, came to this country in 1628; settled at Fort Orange, now Albany; lived there three years; came, in 1626, to New Amsterdam, 'where she lived afterwards for many years; and then came to Long bland, where she now (1688) lives.’ ‘Sarah, therefore, was undoubtedly born at Albany, instead of the Walle-boght, and was probably married before she removed to Long Island, there being no reason to suppose that she resided there when a single woman without her husband.” Indeed, if the family record of her birth be correct, she was married between the age of fourteen and fifteen, improving somewhat, in this respect, on the example of her mother, who married before she was twenty years old.

She early became a church member In New York, and united with the Dutch Church at Breuckelen, by certificate, In 1661. She died about 1685, aged about sixty.

While, therefore, Albany claims the honor of being her birthplace, and New Amsterdam of having seen her childhood, Brooklyn surely received most profit from her; for here, in the Wallabout, she was twice married, and gave birth to fourteen children,