James Brintzinghoffer ← Theodore C. Brintzinghoffer ← Catherine Forman ← William Spencer Forman ← Robert Forman ← William Forman ← Lewis Forman ← Aaron Forman ← Samuel Forman ← Aaron Forman ← Robert Engle Forman
Robert Engle Forman. 1605 is my 10th great-grandfather. He was 1 of 18 men, mostly English, who received a charter to settle Vlissingen [Flushing] on Long Island in 1645 from Willem Kieft, Director of the Dutch West India company. Flushing’s early records were destroyed in a late 18th century fire so we know nothing about his time there, except that he didn’t stay long. He was living and owned property in Hempstead by 1654, according to the earliest surviving town records. He was later appointed town Magistrate in 1658. But, again, he didn’t stay long. He moved to Oyster Bay at least by 1 FEB 1661 when volunteered corn for the maintenance of a widow. He was appointed Magistrate in Oyster Bay in 1664 and died there in 1671. His wife Johanna Pore, who immigrated with him, also died in Oyster Bay in 1672.
This post tracks the Hempstead town records for both Robert Forman.1605 and his son, Aaron Forman.1633, my 9th great-grandfather. Aaron seems to have followed his father to Oyster Bay, stopping in Jamaica, Long Island first. But he ended his life in Monmouth County, NJ where his sons Thomas, Alexander and Samuel Forman.1663 lived.
These references all come from the Records of the towns of North and South Hempstead, Long island, New York. 1654-1880. They are heavy on lists and light on detail and I have left off a few records which did not particularly pertain to the family, e.g., where they witnessed a transaction.
1557. A list of cows being kept. Robert has 4.
Ane Acount of Calves given ine to bee kept 1657. In primis [list includes…]
by good man Foreman fower 4
11 JUN 1657. A list recording grazing on the ‘neck’.
The number of Cattail Turned to the neck. Ano 1657 stylo novo 11 of June [list includes…]
Aaron Formun three
Robord Forman five
1658. A list referencing Gattes owned by townspeople. Unclear what this refers to.
1658. A Summary of Gates at the Neck. [list includes…]
Arion forman hath fower gattes
robord forman hath tene gattes
samivell Forman hath sixe gattes
1558. A list of acreage given to townspeople.
The number of Akers of medowe given out in Alottments unto the particklar Inhabitants of this towne of hempsted [list includes…]
Aron forman hath fiftene Akers
robord forman hath forty Akers
1558. A list of calves kept by townspeople.
The kalfe herd kept by Geo. Huylet Ao 1658. [List includes…]
Ro. Forman 5
1558. A list of cows kept.
William Jaoocks And Edward Eeyners herd being ye East herd of the Towne for the yeare 1658.
Aron Forman , 8
Ro. Forman 8
29 MAY 1558. A fence is ordered to seperate the properties of Robert Forman and Joseph Schott.
May ye 29th Ao 1658. It is ordered by ye Townesmen that ye East oxpasture shal be made vp wth A sufficient 3 raylde fence round Aboute excepting that part wch Lyeth betweene the howsing of Joseph Schott and Robert Forman, wch must be made vp with 5 railes and to be Sufficiently finnished wtliin 10 dayes after ye date hereof vpon penality of 2s 6d for Each rodd to be paid by the parties defective, dated Vi Supra
Teste
John James (Seal.)
2 JUN 1658. Robert was a kow-keeper of 7 cows. Perhaps keeping a portion of the town herd?
George Huylet went forth wth ye Kalves according to condition upon Munday ye second of June 1658 stilo novo. The kow-keepers went forth 14 dayes before vpon Munday. [List includes…]
Robert Forman 7
27 NOV 1658. Robert nominated for Magistrate.
There is vpon this day chosen by vote to be put vpon ye denomination and to be sent vnto ye Governor vpon choice of Magistrates for this following yeare for this Towne of Hemsteede,
Mr Richard Gildeesleve
Robert forman
William Schadden
Heney Peesall.
Teste
John James [Town Clerk]
29 NOV 1658. Robert does not take up land.
The Names of those persons that have Concluded to take up Land according to ye Afores’d ordre. [List includes…]
Mr Robert Forman [blank]
17 DEC 1658. Robert’s appointment as Magistrate is announced.
At A Towne meeting the 17th day of December Anno 1658. By ordre from ye Governor there is this day admitted to ye Magistratie for this Ensueing yeare Mr Richard Gildersleve Mr Robert Forman
8 MAR 1659. Robert and Aaron are assessed for taxes.
A rate made for the Levy of the Publique chardge for the yeare Anno 1658 by ye townsmen hereafter speeifyed this 8th of March Anno 1659 stilo novo. [List includes…]
Robert Forman 40
The rate gatherers by apointment of ye townesmen are John Sturdge & Ambros Sutton. [List includes…]
Aron Furmon 21
A Rate made for ye Levy of ye chardge, to be raysed upon ye cattell that went into ye towne-neck In Ao 1658. [List includes…]
Aron Forman 3
Mr Forman 6
14 MAR 1659. Aaron is assigned town labour.
March ye 14th 1659. It is ordered that John Smith wants Eioh’d Willets Ambros Sutton and John Smith Junior shalbe Surveyor of the High wayes for this present yeare. And shall perform ye duty of surveyors and that any person that shall refuse to coome to doe ye Laboar beloagiug to them shall pay for A man 4s, and for a man & his teeme 8s, And ye surveyors by default of performing their duty shall pay for each default 40s per. The names of those that Laboured according to ye abovesaid ordre: [List includes…]
Aron Forman
17 APR 1659. Aaron is assigned town labour.
The names & nomb’r of those persons that are to fense and Inclose Rockoway w’th ye Nomb’r of their gates donn at A full town-meeting the 17th of Aprill 1659. [List includes…]
Aron Forman 4 foote 2 mor
13 MAY 1661. Aaron is proposed as townsman and then declined.
May 13 1661. James pine & John Mead being townsmen brought beefore mr gildersleve mr ashman John Hickes magistrates ther testomony that Thomas langdon have killed tenne woulfes. There is this day chosen by ye townesmen to searve in their places for A’o 1660 and to officiate as townesmen Mr. Robert Ashman James Pine John Mead Aron Forman Timothy Holstead Magestrates denies their consent herevnto, because not chosen by lott.
26 FEB 1660. Aaron is chosen to be a townsman.
Hemsteed ye 26th of Feb 1660. There is this day chosen by lott and Conifrmed to be Townesmen for this Ensueing yeare
Mr Eobert Ashman
James Pine
Timothy Holstead
John Meade
Aron Forman
wee ye maigstrats of hempsteed doe ingaige ourSeylvs to vphould and maintaiue the townsemen above Specified in all law full matters that shall bee acctted or transe acctted by them for and in the beehalf of ye, towne there orders being vpon record for this present yeare and, by our athoritie to conferme all law full and Just orders by them provided as wittness our hands this 21 of march 1660 the townsemen are athorised to doe all things that apertaine to ye service of ye towne except giving of land & receiving in of in habitance,
RICHABD GILDERSLEVE
JOHN HlCKES
39 MAY 1660. Aaron Forman, as a townsman, makes a ruling regarding the control of cattle.
Itt Is Ordered that If Any Person or Persones shall sende or Poutt Any Cattell outt to Othear Towenes If thatt they come into the felld Thay shall Pay Pounddage and Damage.
Mr Robeet X Ashman his Marke
James Pine X his Marke
John Meade X his Marke
Arone Furmone X his Marke
Timothy holsted
30 APR 1665. Aaron gives over land, perhaps back to John Loames.
Aprill 30th 1665. Know all men by this presant whome It may Concarn that I arvn fforeman off ffLvchiog have and doo setb over att this presant ffouer oxpaster gattes in the Est oxpaster and the home bevell that wase fformarly John Lomes Long on the north side of the tound which is in Lankth fforty five Rooeds in Lankth in brath aight Roodes and pesably to inioy him his airs and suckcesers from mee my aires and suckcesers for ever as wittnes my hand the daye and yeare a bove wretten
Arvn X ffomans
In the 17th yeare of his mgestyes Raine Charlls th 2d by the grase of god king of ingLand, ScottLand ffrance and lerLand
Tho: Hickes Cler
12 JUL 1671. Aaron sells land to John Smith R. Junior. Is already living in Jamaica.
A Deed of Sale Recorded for John Smith R. Junior, the 12th day of July 1671. for a Parcell of Meadow, by him bought of Aaron ffurman. Know all men by these psents. That I Aaron Forman of Jamaica, in the North Riding of New Yorkshire upon Long Island, do by these presents, for me, my Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Assignes, Alienate, Bargaine, sell and set over, forever, unto John Smith, Junior, Rock ; of Hempsteed in the North Riding of the same County, to him the above said John Smith, his Heirs Executors, Admiiiisto’s or Assignes, all my Meadow Land, Lying and bring within the Bounds and Limits of Hempsteed aforesaid. That is to say six Acres of Meadow, lying upon Hicks his Neck, more or less, as it was laid out at the first, and eight Acres of Meadow at the halfe Neck, lying Eastward, being bounded on the East by a Lot of Meadow, of John Smith Blew, and on the west side by a Lot of Meadow of Eobert Beadles, I say I have sold unto the abovesaid John, Kock, all my right and Title of Meadow in the place above said, with all my rights of Woodliind or Pasture Lands, called or knowne by any other name whatsoever, that, was formerly John Lums right, belonging to the Home Lot, which the abovesaid John Smith, Junior Eock, hath at the present time in his Possession, And further, the aforesaid Aaron fforman, do by these presents engage himselfe, his Heirs, Executors, Administrators or Airsijjnes, to uphold and Maintaine all the premisses aforesaid to bee good and Lawfull; and do hereby warrant and warrantize the Sale of all y’e Lands aforesaid, against any Person or Persons, that shall lay any Claime, Title or Interest therein ; ffor and in consideration of one Cow and Calfe, by the said Aaron already received in hand ; In witness whereof I have set to my hand and Scale, May the 17. 1670.
