Jan was Baptized March 29, 1713, born in Knightsfield Patent, Warwarsing, New York & died in Davis County, North Carolina

Son of Jacob VanEtten & Antjen (Westbrook) VanEtten, Husband of Marretjen (Westfall) VanEtten, Father of Helena, Jacob, Cathrina, Maria, Daniel, Simeon, Margarita, Samuel & Margrieta∼Jan "John" Van Etten was the eldest son of Jacob Van Etten & Anna Westbrook. He was baptized 17 Apr 1720 at Knightsfield or Kingston, New York.

John married 1st on 13 Apr 1738 at Machackemeck Church, Deerpark (now Port Jervis), then in Ulster County (now Orange County), New York, to Maritje "Mary" Westfael, daughter of Jurian Westfael & Maria Cuddeback; 9 children (one record says 11).

About 1750, John & his family crossed the Delaware River and settled near Easton in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. In 1754, John Van Etten was a judge in Orphans Court. The French & Indian War began in 1754, and Captain John Van Etten commanded Fort Hyndshaw near the present town of Bushkill, PA, and also Fort Hamilton at Stroudsburg, PA in 1756-1757.

In the course of duty, the fort commanders were required to report regularly to Major William Parsons at Easton, PA. Five miles north of Easton---the county seat---stood John Lefevre's inn or tavern. To be served by one of the six attractive daughters of the innkeeper made the food taste better, the drink more refreshing, and the commander's rest a pleasure long to be remembered. One of the daughters was Margaret Lefevre, and Captain John Van Etten---now a widower---befriended her. Their friendship ripened into love, and in about 1757 they married. They had 11 children---giving John Van Etten a total of at least 20 children by his two wives.

In 1759 and 1760, John Van Etten was coroner of Northampton County, PA. He also applied for and was granted a license to sell liquor in Forks Township. About 1775, John Van Etten moved his family to Rowan County, North Carolina, where he lived until his death in 1786. In 1778, he served as a Justice in Rowan County; this civil service during the Revolution qualifies his descendants for membership in the Sons or Daughters of the American Revolution (SAR and DAR).

In 1780, for 50 shillings for every hundred acres, the governor of North Carolina, Richard Caswell, granted John Van Etten 300 acres on the east side of Hunting Creek near the Yadkin River in Rowan County (now Davie County). John died between March 20, 1786---when he wrote his will---and May 1, 1786---when the will was proven in court. He was reportedly buried on his own farm; but no headstone marks his final resting place.

John Van Etten's will names eight children by his present wife (who is not named): four sons: Samuel, John, Abraham, and Isaac; and four daughters: Elizabeth, Christina, Rosina, and Sarah. John doesn't name the children of his first wife, but leaves 5 shillings each to the six who were living---thus preventing them from contesting the will by claiming he'd forgotten to leave them anything.