Hendrick Christiaensen

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Hendrick Christiaensen (died 1616) was a Dutch explorer who was involved in the earlier exploration of what became present day New York City.

In 1611, Christiaensen paid two visits to Manhattan, including one with fellow explorer Adriaen Block. Upon his return to the Netherlands following the second of his trips, he brought back with him two young Indians, who were the sons of a local sachem. The Dutch were fascinated with the boys, and they eventually earned the names Orson and Valentine.

By 1613, Christiaensen was captain of the vessel Fortuyn.^[1] He again returned to Manhattan, and with Adrien Block, he created the first map of the region that showed Manhattan and Long Island as separate geographical entities.

In 1616, Hendrick Christiaensen was murdered by his adoptive son Orson near present-day Albany, New York.

[edit] References

• Kroessler, Jeffrey A. New York, Year by Year: A Chronology of the Great Metropolis. New York: New York University Press, 2002.