Adriaen Van der Donck was a Dutch lawyer and one of the earliest settlers of our part of New York. He is known for his contributions to the development of Dutch colonialism in the region. His writings also provide valuable insights into the life and culture of the Dutch in the New World. But to Yonkers, the derivation of his moniker, Jonk Herr, meaning young lord/gentleman, is where our city gets its name.
Van der Donck was born in 1618 in the Dutch city of Breda, in the southern province of Brabant. As a member of a wealthy family, he received a good education studying law at the University of Leiden. After completing his studies, he served as a magistrate in the city of Amsterdam before emigrating to the New World.
In 1641, Van der Donck arrived in New Amsterdam, the capital of the Dutch colony of New Netherland. At the time, New Netherland encompassed what is now New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut. He was initially employed as a legal advisor to the governor of the colony, but soon became disillusioned with the governor’s autocratic rule. So, he began advocating for greater political and economic rights for the Dutch settlers.
A revolutionary voice
Van der Donck became a leading figure in the movement for greater autonomy and democracy in New Netherland. He drafted a document known as the “Remonstrance of New Netherland“, which called for the establishment of a representative government. This government would then grant more economic and social freedoms to the Dutch settlers. The Remonstrance was presented to the governing body of the colony, the Dutch West India Company. But, they swiftly rejected it.
Undeterred, Van der Donck continued to advocate for change and became a prominent voice in the Dutch community. He was elected as the first schout (sheriff) of the village now known-as Yonkers, north of New Amsterdam. And he later served as a member of the Council of Twelve, a body that advised the governor on matters of policy.
An author for the area
Van der Donck was also a keen observer of the natural and social environment of New Netherland. He wrote a book that was published in 1655 entitled “A Description of New Netherland.” The book provides a detailed account of the geography, flora, and fauna of the region, as well as the customs and culture of the Dutch settlers. It is now considered one of the most important sources of information on Dutch colonialism in North America.
Van der Donck’s book also includes a scathing critique of the Dutch West India Company and its policies in New Netherland. He argues that the company’s focus on profit at the expense of the welfare of the settlers had led to social and economic inequality–hindering the development of the colony. His criticisms were influential in shaping public opinion and contributed to the eventual decision by the Dutch government to take over the colony from the West India Company in 1664.
Adriaen Van der Donck died in 1655, just before his book was published. However, his legacy lives on. Van der Donck’s ideas about democracy, social justice, and environmental stewardship continue to inspire people to this day. He is remembered as a visionary leader who fought for the rights of the Dutch settlers and as a scholar who provided valuable insights into the history and culture of New Netherland.
