The founder of the Bogardus family in America was the famous Dominie Everardus Bogardus, pastor, counsellor and friend of the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam, who cheered them amid their toils and adversities and in dark hours of peril; joined many of them in marriage; baptized their children; oft performed in their stricken homes the last sad rites and frequently acted as guardian of their estates. He was the first settled minister of the Dutch church at New Amsterdam, where he continued until his last trip, to Holland in 1647. He sailed from New Amsterdam in the ship "Princess" in company with Director Kieft, August 16, 1647. On September 27, having mistaken their course, they were wrecked upon a rock on the coast of Wales. Dominie Bogardus and Director Kieft both perished, although many were saved. (For an extended account of his career see Bogardus in Gray family history.) He was a valuable man in the settlement, his advice was constantly sought in matters affecting both individuals and the community and the amount of public business with which he was intrusted on his final departure for Holland evinced the continued respect and confidence of his people. He married, June 21, 1642, Anneke (Annetje) Jans, or Jansen, who had a grant of sixty-two acres between the present Warren and Christopher streets, New York City. This land has probably caused more bitter controversy than any other on earth. It forms the basis of dispute between the heirs of Anneke and Dominie Bogardus on the one hand and Trinity church corporation on the other. Its immense value makes the ownership a prize worth striving for and fierce legal battles have been fought over it. The title, however, seems to rest with Trinity corporation. After the death of Dominie Bogardus, his widow took up her residence in Albany, continuing there until her death in 1663. Children:
- William, in 1656 a clerk in the secretary's office in New Amsterdam and in 1687 postmaster of the province;
- Cornelis, baptized September 9, 1640, in New York City, later of Albany, married Helena Teller;
- Johannes or Jonas, baptized January 4, 1643;
- Pieter, of further mention.
(II) Pieter, son of Dominic Everardus Bogardus, was baptized April 2, 1645. He resided in Albany, New York, until near the close of his life, when he removed to Kingston, New York, where he died in 1703. In 1673 he was one of the magistrates of the town and in 1690 was commissioned with others to treat with the Five Nations and to look after the defence of the town. He made his will February 3, 1701-02. He married Wyntje Cornelis Bosch. Children:
- Evert;
- Shibboleth;
- Hannah, born January 22, 1679, married Peter Bronck;
- Maria, married Johannes Van Vechten, of Schagticoke;
- Anthony; Rachel, baptized February 13, 1684;
- Ephraim, of further mention;
- Petrus, baptized April 30, 1691.
(III) Ephraim, son of Pieter and Wyntje Cornelis (Bosch) Bogardus, was baptized August 14, 1687. He married, September 23, 1719, Agnietie De Garmo, born March 20, 1692. Children baptized:
- Petrus, April 10, 1721;
- Catherine, September 16, 1722, died young;
- Wyntje, March 8, 1724;
- Ephraim, of further mention;
- Jacob, July 14, 1728;
- Catherine, February 7, 1730;
- Maria, May 7, 1732;
- Anna, October 6, 1734.
(IV) Ephraim (2), son of Ephraim (1) and Agnietie (De Garmo) Bogardus, was born August 7, 1726, in Coxsackie, Greene county, New York. He served in the war of the revolution as private of Captain James Waldron's company, Eleventh Regiment, Albany county militia. He ran a licensed ferry across the Hudson river at the Upper Landing shortly after the revolution. He was a farmer. He married, October 19, 1748, Annetje Hallenbeck.
(V) Anthony, son of Ephraim (2) and Annetje (Hallenbeck) Bogardus, was baptized in the Dutch Reformed church at Coxsackie, Greene county, New York, 1772. He was a farmer of the town of Coxsackie and a member of the Dutch church. He married Elizabeth Vander Hoof.
(VI) Ephraim (3), son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Vander Hoof) Bogardus, was born in Coxsackie, New York, June 27, 1795, died April 21, 1866. He served in the American army during the war of 1812. He was a farmer, owning the homestead farm of his grandfather, Anthony Bogardus, located just outside the limits of the village of Coxsackie. This was his home and place of death. He was a member of the First Reformed Dutch Church, and a Democrat in politics. He married, January 21, 1823, Hannah, born June 6, 1801, died July 25, 1885, daughter of James and Helena (Groom) Rea. Children:
- Anthony, born December 29, 1823;
- William, August 7, 1825;
- John, September 7, 1827;
- Joseph, June 14, 1830;
- Charles (q. v.).
(VII) Charles, youngest son of Ephraim (3) and Hannah (Rea) Bogardus, was born on the Bogardus homestead in the town of Coxsackie, Greene county, New York, September 16, 1833. He was educated in the public schools, and early became engaged in the ice business. He continued in this line all his active life and reaped a prosperous harvest. In 1895 he retired from active labor, devoting himself to his own private affairs. For twelve years he served on the Coxsackie school board. He is an attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a Democrat in politics. He married, December 17, 1857, Mary Helen, born October 12, 1836, daughter of Henry B. and Esther (Wilson) Briggs, of Coxsackie. Children: Mary Esther, Charlotte. Mary Esther married Charles Crabbe, of Far Rockaway, Long Island, New York; children:
- Daisy M. (married Robert Nelson Curtis, of Rochester, New York, November 5, 1906; child: Mary Helen);
- Bernice,
- Bentha Helen,
- Phyllis Esther,
- Ruth,
- Charles Bogardus.