Oatman Genealogy Manuscript

FOREWORD

1935

The compilers of this small genealogy of the OATMAN family are not in any sense of the word professional genealogists. The work was not undertaken for any pecuniary gain. Our investigations which were made during vacation periods over a number of years, correspondence had and research made during leisure hours has been amply rewarded by the many delightful acquaintances made and by pleasant contacts made through correspondence. It has been a pleasant recreation -- an interesting "hobby" -- a labor of love.

Like unto the "visitation of the Heralds" of old, Mr. Ralph Oatman has spent his vacation periods traveling up and down the land, copying Bible records, securing other family records, copying the inscriptions found on gravestones and in listening to and recording the stories of the older members of the family who have personal knowledge of its history.

Someone has truthfully said that as a people we have more accurate information of the Egyptians of 4,000 years before Christ than we have of our own ancestors. This is not strange when we consider that our forefathers were engaged in carving a home out of the virgin forests and in securing a livelihood for large families -- living often many miles from any place where public records were maintained.

While it is true that during the early colonial period the old country customs prevailed and fairly complete and accurate vital records were kept by the various towns, following the American Revolution, while the tide of emigration was moving rapidly westward, these matters were in many localities lost sight of. It is a very common experience to find that many old records have been destroyed by fire or otherwise; books and pages are missing; interpolations have been made, evidently in later years, which cast considerable doubt upon the accuracy of the original records, etc. It is only in later years that state and Federal authorities have taken cognizance of the importance of these old vital records and are taking steps to have them properly indexed and preserved.

Fortunately, the majority of the OATMAN families have maintained fairly complete Bible records of births, marriages and deaths of its members and kinfolk; the graves of their dead are, generally, well kept and adequately marked. It is principally from these sources that the records herein contained are derived. We have considered the entry made in the family Bible by the trembling hand of the mother of a newly born babe or perhaps in the bold script of a proud young father as absolutely reliable; as, also, the inscriptions engraved on the stones marking the graves of their dead.

The descendants of Johannes Outman and his wife Femmetje Kock are not numerous when compared with other families. Johannes had only one surviving son to carry on the line, John². John had three sons; however, the weight of evidence so far found indicates that only one of these sons, George³, had issue. Thus it will be seen there was no marked increase in the family numerically except in the fourth, fifth and sixth generations. In the seventh and succeeding generations, large families are the exception rather than the rule. This record traces the family of Johannes through his son John and grandson George more or less completely, although many members are not recorded, nor is the data complete as to some families because of the failure of members to respond to our inquiries.

The older members of the family who have much personal knowledge of its history and traditions are rapidly passing on. During 1935 two fine old people who have been much interested in this genealogy and who furnished many valuable records for it have passed on:

Orlin Elisha Oatman, b. 1853; d. October 1935 at the age of 82 years;

Mary (Oatman) Inglesbe, b. 1846; d. October 1935 at the age of 90 years.

We have thought it best to present this genealogy in its present incomplete manuscript form, to members of the family who have evinced an interest in the matter for the following reasons:

First, while much care has been exercised in compiling the information received from various sources and in comparing it with information to be found in available public records, we are well aware, nevertheless, that errors will creep in. Names of persons and places will be incorrectly spelled and dates incorrectly quoted -- grievous sins in genealogy. These errors, if brought to our attention, will result in the issue of corrected pages, to the end that in the final compilation, the record may furnish accurate and reliable information.

Second, we hope by this means to interest those members who have not heretofore responded to our inquiries in the hope they will furnish data for their family or branch in as complete detail as possible.

Third, upon suggestions from those most interested, we shall be glad to exchange or add to the biographical matter contained in the record and shall be especially glad to receive such matter for other persons or families.

Fourth, we desire to ascertain to what extent members of the family are interested in having the record placed in permanent printed form for distribution.

W. E. Osborn

Ralph I. Oatman

(1935)

FOREWORD

2000

This continuing edition of the Oatman History was not done to try to "improve" the original. The first edition was marvelously done and contained information that has been impossible to dispute. It has been done in order to put into place all of the names and information which have come to light since 1935, which has proven considerable, and which is growing daily. In trying to respond to a letter, it became increasingly difficult to ascertain which individual they were discussing or how they fit into the family. To gain a better overall picture and to be able to extract needed information more easily, this edition was necessary and it will be in an almost constant state of flux as more information is added.

It is impossible to list all of the contributors to this History, either the first or this continuing edition. They range from family members whose information is replete with degrees and accomplishments and which contains wonderful detailed descriptions, to one whose response to an inquiry was tearful and bewildered as he explained how he had lost his wife a few years ago, but nevertheless offered a new bit of information. Barbara Hawthorne has been such a major supporter, proofreader and contributor that she has been afforded equal billing. In an undertaking that this has proven to be, she has been the rock that made it possible.

In this edition of the Oatman History, we have tried to retain as much of the original history as possible, including the form and the information that could not be disputed; we have made changes from the original only when there was enough documentation to support the change. The numbering of the individuals has been changed only when it was needed in order to add more children or to put in the correct birth order if birth dates were found. Other than these minor exceptions, the numbers should correspond to the first History.

With any manuscript containing so many names, dates and facts, there will be errors, even though it has been proofread and checked innumerable times. Too often the reader reads what it should say rather than what it does say. For these we apologize. If errors are found which can be substantiated, changes can be made on this website by contacting Charles Oatman.

In order to save space and time, abbreviations are used for the months (Jan, Feb, etc.), and the following postal abbreviations for states and provinces:

Alabama AL Minnesota MN Virginia VA

Alaska AK Mississippi MS Washington WA

Arizona AZ Missouri MO West Virginia WV

Arkansas AR Montana MT Wisconsin WI

California CA Nebraska NE Wyoming WY

Colorado CO Nevada NV

Connecticut CT New Hampshire NH

Delaware DE New Jersey NJ

District/Columbia DC New Mexico NM CANADIAN PROVINCES

Florida FL New York NY

Georgia GA North Carolina NC (Canada CN)

Hawaii HI North Dakota ND Alberta AB

Idaho ID Ohio OH British Columbia BC

Illinois IL Oklahoma OK Manitoba MB

Indiana IN Oregon OR New Brunswick NB

Iowa IA Pennsylvania PA Newfoundland NF

Kansas KS Rhode Island RI Nova Scotia NS

Kentucky KY South Carolina SC NW Territories NT

Louisiana LA South Dakota SD Ontario ON

Maine ME Tennessee TN Prince Edward Is. PE

Maryland MD Texas TX Quebec QC

Massachusetts MA Utah UT Saskatchewan SK

Michigan MI Vermont VT Yukon YN

In answer to queries about the early documents on the Oatman/Outman family, Barbara Hawthorne responds:

These two families were researched in the 1930's and '40's by Will Osborn. He himself was not an Oatman descendant, but his wife was. Will, who was then living in Mt. Vernon, New York, had already retired during this period and was apparently an accomplished genealogist. Certainly he knew where to look for records. He teamed up with Ralph Oatman, a young man then, because Ralph was also interested in the Oatman genealogy, it being his own family group. Ralph had grown up in the area (Salem, New York, right across the state line from Arlington, Vermont) and knew a lot about George Outman³, son of John². They worked together for a while but generally divided up the work, Will doing the work on Johannes and John, and Ralph doing the work on George and his descendants.

During the early 1940's, Will Osborn died, and for two years Ralph had no association with the Osborn family. One day he arrived home to find two small boxes on his front porch containing some of Will Osborn's notes and letters on the Outmans. However, the bulk of the material was not there. Ralph believes it was simply thrown out because of disinterest on the part of the Osborn family.

The fact is that many of the early Outman records are lost forever, and I believe this because I tried to find a lot of them for a number of years, especially in Connecticut, and finally gave up . . . the fact remains that in quite a few instances we are just going to have to take Will Osborn's word for what he saw.

Ralph told me about his own part in the Oatman/Osborn research. We're both sorry that more records cannot be gleaned. One sad example of neglect was that John Outman's effects, including the original inventory of his goods, were in the hands of an antique dealer who lived in Coila, New York (near Arlington). He was a descendant of the Outman family and he was selling John Outman's effects. No one knows what happened to the contents of the shop after the owner's death.

OATMAN

There is a persistent tradition that the name was formerly Van Ottman, later Outman and finally Oatman. This tradition is found in all Oatman families, not only in those descended from Johannes Outman, but also in the numerous families listed in the "Nance Memorial" who have not been definitely ascertained to be descendants of Johannes.

After much research, we find no basis for this claim. As will be seen by the official documents hereinafter quoted, the emigrant ancestor of the family signed his name under oath on the 8th day of November 1678 as: Johannes Outman

ARCHIVES OF THE COMMUNITY OF AMSTERDAM (Holland)

Extract from the Instituted Church Records, D, J and B, No. 505, Folio 174

(Translation)

"On Monday, November 18, 1678, appeared the same Johannes Outman, from Hamburg, Gloutlakenwerker, 24 years old, from Lidegraft, whose parents died, being raised by her guardian roelof Zweeries.

"The applicants had for three consecutive Sundays their solemn intention to get married called out, except for any hindrances. They truthfully declare that they are free citizens and pure of blood and have never run afoul. But, if this Christian ceremony is objected to, they will live apart and be good friends.

(Signed) Johannes Outman

(Signed) Femmetje Kock

Archives Seal
Of Amsterdam"

EXTRACT FROM CITIZENRY BOOK 5 - Record Vault

On May 20, 1683, Johannes Outman, from Hamburg, Treckwercker, and his betrothed Femmetje Kock, daughter of Yoost Yanss Kock, during his lifetime a silversmith."

The Community Record Keeper of Amsterdam.

August 1, 1935

There appears to be some difficulty in translating the old Holland language, the work "Gloutlakenwerker" being translated Gold cloth worker and General worker; the word "Treckwercker" being translated Canal worker and kindred trades. However, as Johannes was a merchant upon arrival in New York, in 1687, cloth worker is probably the correct translation.

The exact date of the marriage of Johannes and Femmetje does not appear in the foregoing records. The use of the word "betrothed" would indicate they were then engaged, not married. No doubt their declaration of citizenship was a final formallity percedent to their marriage.

The following information was received from the Holland Society of New York:

"Referring to the family of Johannes Oudtman, would say that I find that Johannes Oudtman and his house wife Femmetje Kock became members of Dutch Reformed Church of New York on September 2, 1687, with letters from Amsterdam, which may be fairly indicative of their having recently arrived in this Country from Holland. This view is supported by the first record of baptism of a child of theirs in this Country, is that of Judith, baptized March 2, 1688, and the future record that their daughter Anna, when she was married to Benjamin d'Harriette, was recorded as from Amsterdam, indicating that she herself came from the old Country.

(Signed)

Walter M. Meserole, Secretary"

The early records of the family in America are found in various issues of the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, being excerpts of the records of the Dutch Reformed Church of New York. We quote the following:

OUDERS KINDERS GETUŸGEN

den 2 Mart Johannes Oútman Júdith Stevands Van Cortlant*

1688 Femmetje Kocx Judith Verleth

den 26 Dec Johannes Outman Johannes Abraham Van DeWater

1691 Femmetje Kock Catharena Rugg

den 17 May Johannes Oútman Francois Jacob Van Cortlant

1693 Femmetje Cocq Catharina Van Cortlant

INTERSCHREVEN GEROUWT

den 18 Sept. 1699 Benjamin dHarriette,j,m,Van Rachel

den 7 Sept. 1699 Anna Outman,j,d, Van Amsterdam beyde woonenden alhier.

PERSONEN MET LICENTIE

Aº 1708 INGETEEKENL GEROUWT

den 26 May Jan Smith Judik Outman den 5 Junu

OUDERS KINDERS GETUŸGEN

Aº 1700

den 12 May Benjamin d’Hariette Johanna Johannes Outman

Anna Oútmans Súsanna Boúdinot, h.v. van

Eli Boúdinot

Aº 1705

den 8 Jul Do Johannis Jan Smith

Do Judith Outman

Aº 1707 Benjamin D. Garreit Anna Chareles Davall

den 5 Jan Anna Outman Magdalena Bodinott

Aº 1709

den 18 Sep Benjamin d’Harriette Benjamin Johannes Outman

Anna Oútmans Femmetje Kock, s. h. vroú

Aº 1709

den 18 Sep Jan Smith Anna Johannes Outman

Judith Outman Femmetje Kock

Aº 1709

den 18 Sep Jan Smith Johannes Johannes Outman, Zen^r

Júdith Oútmans Femmetje Oút^ms, Sÿn

h^s vroúw [wife]

Aº 1712

den 24 Sep Jan Smith Femma Benjamin dHarriette

Judith Outman Janetje Smith

den 26 Feb,1712 Op de belydenisse van hum geloof Johannes Outman

* Stevands Van Courtlandt was an American merchant & politician and was the

first native-born mayor of New York City.

Aº 1714

den 20 Jan John Smith Dirk Johannes Outman, Jn^r

Júdith Oútman Anna D’harietten

Quoted from Historical Miscellany, Vol. 2, Records of Monmouth County, NJ:

"Vader Johannes Outman is gestorven Mart 7 Aº1716, en

begraven Mart 12 Aº1716.2

Tot memorandum geschreven by

Myn John Outman."

"Moder Femma Cook, Wediu van Johannes Outman is gestorven 28

Mart Aº1732, begraven 1 April Aº1732.

Tot memorandum geschreven by

Judith Smith Vincent."

Translation of the above:

Father Johannes Outman died March 7, 1716, and was buried

March 12, 1716.

This memorandum written by

Mr. John Outman.

Mother Femma Cook, widow of Johannes Outman died March 28,

1732, buried April 1, 1732.

This memorandum written by

Judith Smith Vincent.

From Index of Original Court Records of New York:

"22 September, 1690 - Inventory and appraisement by Joun Outman and others of cargoes of certain vessels." (p. 112)

"13 February 1691 - Certificate of sale of the French ship St. Perrie, afterwards the Francis, now the Bear, to Jacob Moritz, James Prevost and Johannes Outman." (p. 142)

"27 March 1691 - Libel exhibited by William Kidd against the ship Perre of Bayonne, Perse Clabire, late master, as lawful prize; with the plea of Johannes Outman, claiming one quarter part of said ship, together with Captain Kidd's answer; also the decree of the court condemning the vessel." (p. 80)

-4-

This ends the introductory part of the Manuscript.
Please proceed to Johannes Outman page for additional information or look in the Index of main pages to find a specific name. You may also review the Index of Surnames found throughout all of the related pages.
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Oatman Manuscript – Intro as Written 2008

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