Dutch Treat

My ninth great grandfather was Roeloff Swartwout.  He was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1634.  Roeloff traveled to New Amsterdam in 1652 and was involved in the history and the development of the present day state of New York. In 1660, he was appointed and temporarily served as the shout (sheriff) of the settlement of Esopus and later was recorded as justice of the peace of Ulster.  Roeloff  was involved in the second Esopus War and was also instrumental in founding the Dutch Reformed Church in Kingston.  By 1708 Roeloff settled down and purchased land in what is now known as Albany and Ulster counties.  Roeloff Swartwout died in 1715 in Hurley, New York.

A few months ago I was able to visit Amsterdam and I was humbled and overwhelmed by the simplicity and splendor of the Oude-Kerk where Roeloff, my ninth great grandfather, was baptized on June 1, 1634.

The Oude-Kerk was founded around 1213 in Amsterdam, Netherlands and is Amsterdam's oldest parish church.

Oude-Kerk, Amsterdam

The beautiful floor is made up of the gravestones of those buried beneath the church.
The graceful arched roof is wooden.