The Guenon/Genung Family of Long Island

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The Guenon/Genung Family of Long Island

     Jean was French Huguenot, a native of the Province of Saintonge (now called Charente-Maritime), near La Rochelle, then the principle stronghold of the Huguenots. It may be presumed that he left France to escape the religious persecutions of King Louis XIV and he eventually found his way to Leyden, South Holland. Leyden was the residence of the Pilgrims before they sailed for America in 1620. He traveled to Amsterdam from which he sailed on 2 Apr 1657 in the ship Draetvat under Captain Bestevaer. He is listed on the Draetvat as Jan Guion from Leyden and as a credit passenger, the price of the voyage being 36 florins. After the six week voyage, he settled in Flushing, Long Island, then New Amsterdam and now New York. He was a farmer and land owner. In a list of inhabitants of Flushing in 1698, John Genung and Margreta were the first named of the French families and this is the first recorded use of the "new" family name. At the time, there were three in the family.

His will dated 1703 at Flushing, was as follows:
     In the name of God Amen The Twentyfourth Day of November in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and three I john Gonunge Senr of fflushing in Queen's County on Nassau Island in the province of New York yeoman Being in perfect health of body and of good and perfect memory thanks be to almighty God and calling to remembrance the uncertain estate of this Transitory Life and that all flesh yield unto Death when it shall please God to Call them do make Constitute ordain and Declare This my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following Revokeing and annulling by these presents all and Every Testament and Testaments will and wills heretofore by me made and Declared either by word or writeing and this is to be taken only for my Last will and Testament and none other, and first being pentinent and Sorry from the bottom of my heart for my Sins past most humbly Desireing foregiveness for the Same I give and Committ my Soul unto almighty God my Saviour and Redeemer in whom and by the merritts of Jesus Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full Remission and forgivenes of all my Sins and that my Soul with my body at the Generall day of the Resurrection shall rise again with Joy and through the Merritts of Christ Death and passion for his Elect and Chosen and my body to be buried in Such place where it shall please my Executors hereafter named to appoint, and now for Settleing of my Temporall Estate and such good Chattells and Debts as it hath pleased God farr above my Deserts to bestow upon me I do order give and Dispose the Same in manner and form following that is to say first I will that all those Debts and Dutys as I owe in right or Conscience to any manner of person or persons be well and truely Contented and paid or ordained to be paid within Convenient time after my Decease by my Executors hereafter named. Imprimis Item I give and bequeath unto my Son Jeremiah Gonunge forty acres of Land Lying and being at the place where his now dwelling house stands. Item I give unto my son John Gonunge Twenty nine acres Lying and being in the bounds of fflushing Lying in three partitions viz. Tenn acres Joyning to Joseph Thorne, Ten acres where his now Dwelling house stands and nine acres Joyning to my own plantation with half the priviledge I have myself. The Remainder of all my Reall and Personal Estate I Leave unto my Dear beloved wife Margaret Gonunge Dureing her Life if she survive me and to be Disposed of as She pleased at her Decease. In witnesse whereof that this is my Last Will and Testament I have hereunto Sett my hand affixed my Seale the Day & Date above written, and I do ordain and Appoint my wife Margaret Sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament and the Same to be performed according to the true meaneing and Intent thereof.
      his
      John Genonge.
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Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of us Testiss
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