Everhardus Bogardus
Everhardus Bogardus was a legendary Dutch Reformed dominie of the New Netherland era. He was married to Anneke Jans - by whom he had many children who established the Bogardus name across the colony of New York.
He was born in Utrecht in 1607 and educated in theology at the University of Leyden. Born "Evert Bogert," he apparently "latinized" his name about the time of his ordination in 1631. He emigrated to New Netherland in 1633 to be the Dutch Reformed minister in New Amsterdam. In 1638, he married the widow Anneke Jans - an even more legendary historical character!
His marriage produced a number of children who established the Bogardus family in New Netherland and New York. His sixteen-year-tenure in New Amsterdam came at a formative time for his church and the settlement as well. He played a leading role in both. He has been called the first "stable" minister of the New Netherland Dutch church.
In 1647, he sailed for Holland on business. Barely forty-years-old, Everhardus Bogardus died in 1647 while en route to Europe. He was lost at sea - perhaps off the coast of Wales. His widow and their children then relocated to Beverwyck where she died in 1663. Several descendants became residents of Albany.
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Because we cannot say that he ever set foot on the site of Albany, the life of Everhardus Bogardus has not been assigned a CAP biography number. However, he is a unique individual. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and traditional resources. We cannot presume to make any original contribution to his story. Suffice it to say, what we might add has already been said! Some sources are listed below.