Gerrit Jacobsz Witsen
Gerrit Jacobsz Witsen (* in the 16th century ; † 1626 in Amsterdam ) was an Amsterdam mayor and businessman who traded in France, Portugal and on the Baltic Sea.
life and work
He was born the son of Jacob Hendriksz Witsen (1500–1587). The Witsen family emigrated with him from Akersloot to Amsterdam around 1557 .
Not much is known about Witsen's youth; in 1591 he bought a rope factory in Amsterdam's Lastage . In 1605 he became chief ( Bewindhebber ) a Trading Company in Guyana . In 1609 Witsen bought a shipyard on the island of Marken (later called Valkenburg). In 1614 he initiated the merger of four Amsterdam and one Hoorner companies into the Compagnie van Nieuw-Nederland . Witsen and Lambert van Tweenhuysen were among their first leaders. In 1614 he became a businessman in the Grand Duchy of Moscow through the mediation of the governor Moritz von Oranien-Nassau , together with his nephews Jan and Jonas Witsen. He also promoted the career of Isaac Massa . His three appointments as mayor of Amsterdam fell in 1609, 1613 and 1618. Regent Reinier Pauw prevented further appointments and offices from Witsen . Witsen speculated on the third expansion of Amsterdam , with his partners Frans Hendricksz Oetgens van Waveren and Barthold Cromhout playing a dubious role.
Witsen was married three times: first to Grietje Hillebrands van Renegom; in 1593 with Grietje Baltus Appelmans, daughter of a mayor; and in 1604 with Agnietje Reynst . Gerrit Witsen lived in the Nieuwezijds Kolk ; it was painted by Michiel van Mierevelt . His daughter Aertge Witsen (1599–1652) was married to the important Amsterdam politician and trader Cornelis Bicker .
Individual evidence
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Witsen, Gerrit Jacobsz |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Mayor of Amsterdam, dealer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 16th Century |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Amsterdam |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1626 |
| Place of death | Amsterdam |