Holland Farm 1180-1660
This is likely the farm that our family resided.
“The history of the Van Voorhees family prior to migration to New Netherland in 1660 is closely tied to the hamlet of Hees and the three farms that existed there. The first mention of two of these farms is made in a document dated 1180, and describes two farms that are the property of the monastery of Ruinen. It is believed that these farms were Voorhees and Middlehees. The third farm, Achterhees, was a newer farm and in fact was not recognized as a “full farm” until 1632. No further mention is found in the records of the farms at Hees until 1568. It is likely that the farms suffered in the war between the bishop of Utrecht and the people in 1227-1228 as much of the land around Hees was burned. Voorhees and Achterhees were two of the larger farms in the region. While there is no certainty that these farms were occupied by the Van Voorhees family prior to 1600, it is believed that this is the case from at least 1544, although the Van Voorhees family could well have occupied any and all three of the farms at Hees prior to that time. We do know that Coert moved to Voorhees in 1602. Coert was the father of Steven Coert that immigrated to New Netherland in 1660.”
