Michiel Jansen Vreeland (1610-1663) was born in the Netherlands, son of Jan Vreeland. In 1631, in the Netherlands, he married Fytje Hartman Wessels (1611-1697).

Michiel Jansen and his wife immigrated aboard the "Het Wapen van Norwegen" arriving in New Amsterdam, Long Island, NY on August 04, 1638. They relocated to "Hoogeberch" farm which they had leased from patron Killian van Rensselaer and Michiel was the "head farmer" from 1640 to 1646. His desire for a better life led him to take up fur trading with the Indians where he immediately came into conflict with the monopoly of the Dutch West India Company and charges of selling contraband munitions to the Indians and failing to pay duty on sold beaver skins were brought against him. His next venture was to set up a farmer's market in the neighboring town where he sold produce, fish and oysters. Michiel Janszen Van den Berg relocated to New Amsterdam in 1647 and Michiel Jansen Vreeland was soon appointed by the Governor as one of the "Nine Men" who served as his advisors. In 1648 he started raising horses and the following year was a signer of "The Remonstrance". In 1654 Michiel relocated to Cummunipaw, NJ. On September 15, 1655 the Indians set upon Pavonia, NJ in sixty four canoes, burning the settlement to the ground and killing all, except Michiel and his family. In 1656 Michiel declined his appointment as Vice Governor and complained that the Indian raids had deprived him and his seven children of seventeen years of labor. In compensation he was granted a lot at Bever and Williams streets in New Amsterdam. On October 23, 1656 he opened a Tap Room on Pearl street, just south of Broad street, in Manhattan. He also reactivated his NJ farm as a cattle ranch. In June of 1658 he sold the cattle to the Amsterdam Colony on the Delaware River, then used some of the profits to buy land from the Indians in Bergen County, NJ. In 1660 Michiel Jansen Vreeland was living in Block J, house 15 at New Amsterdam, NY and was proprietor of the Brewhouse in Block M, property 3. Michiel Jansen Vreelandt began a new cattle ranch and served as First Justice. After his death Fytje continued to manage their vast holdings with the same gusto as Michiel. According to "Year Book of the Holland Society of NY Vols 1915"

Michiel Jansen Vreeland (1610-1663) was born in the Netherlands, son of Jan Vreeland. In 1631, in the Netherlands, he married Fytje Hartman Wessels (1611-1697).

Michiel Jansen and his wife immigrated aboard the "Het Wapen van Norwegen" arriving in New Amsterdam, Long Island, NY on August 04, 1638. They relocated to "Hoogeberch" farm which they had leased from patron Killian van Rensselaer and Michiel was the "head farmer" from 1640 to 1646. His desire for a better life led him to take up fur trading with the Indians where he immediately came into conflict with the monopoly of the Dutch West India Company and charges of selling contraband munitions to the Indians and failing to pay duty on sold beaver skins were brought against him. His next venture was to set up a farmer's market in the neighboring town where he sold produce, fish and oysters. Michiel Janszen Van den Berg relocated to New Amsterdam in 1647 and Michiel Jansen Vreeland was soon appointed by the Governor as one of the "Nine Men" who served as his advisors. In 1648 he started raising horses and the following year was a signer of "The Remonstrance". In 1654 Michiel relocated to Cummunipaw, NJ. On September 15, 1655 the Indians set upon Pavonia, NJ in sixty four canoes, burning the settlement to the ground and killing all, except Michiel and his family. In 1656 Michiel declined his appointment as Vice Governor and complained that the Indian raids had deprived him and his seven children of seventeen years of labor. In compensation he was granted a lot at Bever and Williams streets in New Amsterdam. On October 23, 1656 he opened a Tap Room on Pearl street, just south of Broad street, in Manhattan. He also reactivated his NJ farm as a cattle ranch. In June of 1658 he sold the cattle to the Amsterdam Colony on the Delaware River, then used some of the profits to buy land from the Indians in Bergen County, NJ. In 1660 Michiel Jansen Vreeland was living in Block J, house 15 at New Amsterdam, NY and was proprietor of the Brewhouse in Block M, property 3. Michiel Jansen Vreelandt began a new cattle ranch and served as First Justice. After his death Fytje continued to manage their vast holdings with the same gusto as Michiel. According to "Year Book of the Holland Society of NY Vols 1915"