Hendrik van Cooten

Slave-owner in Demerara.

Hendrik Van Cooten was christened in Doorn on 5 July 1750. He was the child of Johannis (Jan) van Coten and Maria Hendriks Bos. His older sister Cornelia was christened on 1 June 1749, and surviving younger siblings were Klaas (christened 30 Jul 1752), Anthonij (christened 23 June 1754), Petronella (christened 27 March 1757), Willem (christened 24 October 1762) and Geertruij (christened 25 November 1764). Johannis van Coten of Nederlangbroek and Maria Bos of Doorn were married in Doorn on 10 November 1748.

Hendrik Van Cooten resided in Demerara from around 1773 until around 1825 as a landsurveyor, attorney, and presumably plantation owner.

A table of plantation owners in the Demerara region from 1785 found in the Nationaal Archief archives records a "van Cooten" as a plantation owner, born in Holland. On 10 June 1785, a H.J. Cooten is a signatory to a letter of protest, sent in 1785/6 by a group of settlers/sugar planters in the former dutch colonies of Essequibo and Demarara to the Directors of the Dutch West Indian Company in several Cities in Holland. The settlers complain in their Letter about their Problems during the fourth Anglo-Dutch war (1780-1784). During this period, Essequibo and Demarary was occupied by the English and the French. After the war the colonies were returned to the Dutch West Indian Company. However, the company set up an new governor, and took the ancient right of the planters away.

The 24 December 1803 issue of the Essequebo and Demerary Gazette announces the impending marriage of Catharina Elisabeth van Cooten, daughter of Hendrik Van Cooten.

In 1823, Hendrik was present for and gave witness during the trial of John Smith, a preacher. He was a witness on behalf of John Smith for inciting the slave rebellion. References to Hendrik (Henry) appear in the biography of John Smith, and also in the proceedings of the trial.

The trial was also reported in the local newspapers. An extract of Hendrik's evidence contains some genealogical information. In particular, it indicates that that Hendrik's statement of being fifty years in the colony is not intended to be an approximate indication, but that he arrived in the colony in February, 1773. It also indicates that he has several sons, and a married daughter.

Hendrik's will, dated 1825, was proved in England because Hendrik had property or investments in England to bequeath, as well as in Demerara.

The will names Dorothea Nicols as being Hendrik's wife. It names Cornelis, Hendrik, Jan, Nicholas, Anthony, Lucius, Ann Townsend, Theodorus Hermanus Hilbertus and Cornelia Bennett married to J.L.T. Playter as being children. It is possible that Cornelis and Hendrik are children of a previous relationship as they are treated quite separately. The will is dated 13 August 1825, and was opened 7 March 1826, so it may be inferred that Hendrik died not long before this date. At the time of writing the will, Hendrik's wife and named children were all alive. The will implies that Cornelia has children. Nicholas and Lucius were presumably still living when the will was proved on 25 May 1827.

We are grateful to Mark Van Cooten for his assistance in compiling this entry.

Hendrik Van Cooten. Van Cooten Voices [available online: accessed 11/06/2024].

Will of Hendrik Van Cooten, 13 August 1925. Prerogative Court of Canterbury available from The National Archives of England, Wales and the United Kingdom Documents Online. Transcribed at https://www.vc.id.au/fh/hvcwill.html [Accessed 11/06/2024].

London Missionary Society. The London Missionary Society's Report of the Proceedings Against the Late Rev. J. Smith, of Demerara. F. Westley, 1824.

Wallbridge, Edwin Angel. The Demerara Martyr. Memoirs of the Rev. John Smith, Missionary to Demerara. Charles Gilpin, 1848.