Jan Clute was born in Europe and came to New Netherland. He was in Beverwyck by 1656. During the third quarter of the seventeenth century, he was known as a frontier land and fur trader. In 1683, his brothers and sisters were living in "Niewen Roy," North Brabant.

He probably did not marry but had a number of siblings living in Europe. In 1670, he was one of a number of owners who sold land at Coxsackie. In 1669, he purchased an island in the Mohawk at Canastigione. In 1681, he liquidated his holdings on the Murderers Creek - which flowed east into the Hudson. He also was a resident of Albany.

In 1679, he was identified as an Albany householder and was accorded one of the highest assessments on a community-wide tax.

He filed a will in 1683. It left a substantial estate to his nephew and namesake. Jan Clute was dead by December 11, 1684 when his will passed probate!

Sources: The life of Jan Clute is CAP biography number 1633. Sometimes called"Lieutenant" or Captain," his surname has many spelling variations. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.