Willem made not only a will, but a lengthy deposition regarding his origins and kinship. This is so, "that [his] children, when of age, may inquire at Minne Corpus Christi fief, paying annually 100 Rixdollars and other fiefs called Maria Vergina in the church of Lemigo, paying annually 80 Rixdollars; another fief at Billeveldt, called Anna Salutes, paying annually 60 Rixdollars." Apparently these are rents or taxes due to Willem and his heirs. This deposition taken by Albert Jansen on the 26th of August of 1671 is recorded in the Ulster County Records, Secretary's Papers, Liber D, pg. 20. He describes himself as Medisini Amptman, which translated by Anjou, as a doctor and medical officer. He was in the service of the manor of Hemelycke in the Diocese of Minnen under Count Van der Lip. Willem was born in the city of Lemmichor. Although he does not name his father, Willem does mention his uncle Hendrick and Aunt Anna Traphagen, wife of Johannes Willemsen Cooperslaeger. Willem's mother is Eeledt Delandal and her brother Johanes Delandel who received a prebendary within the state of Herfort. Eeledt's nephews appear to be in local government. Willem mentions his three marriages and each of the children from these marriages. First he married Jannetie Claesen Groenvis of Meppelt and had a daughter named Eelet. Secondly, he married Aeltie Dirrecks Meermans and had a son Johannes. Thirdly, he married Joosje Willemsen Noortryck of Amsterdam by whom he had three children including Rebecca who married Pieter Pieterzen, the younger.
Willem Traphagen's will proves to be another important document. Gustave Anjou, Ph.D. documents William's life as found in the records of Ulster County. The earliest record is his marriage to Jannetie Claes[en] Groenvis at the Dutch Reform Church in Brooklyn. On the 01st of June 1658, he leaves record in new Amsterdam when he marries Aeltje Dirck of Steenwyck in Overyssel. On the 15th of January 1661, Willem married Joosje Willems Norrtryck of Amsterdam, the widow of Jan Verkinderen. In May of 1661, Willem moves his family into the first house erected near the Pond in Bushwick. On the 12th of May 1664 Willem was sentenced, 'to be tied to s stake with a paper on his breast inscribed "Lampoon Carrier", as result of abusing the magistrates of the town [re: Dutch MSS., Albany, X, p. 216]. In 1676, he receives a grant by the court in Kingston for 20 acres [re: 15 Apr 1676, NY Land Papers, I, pg. 74]. In October of the same year he received grants for two parcels of land each about 10 acres near Espouse [Kingston], one north of Capt. Thomas Chamber's farm and another along the Great Kill to the Water Kolch [re: ibid., pg. 90-1]. Willem wrote his will on the 16th of February 1685. Anjou's transcription of Traphagen records provides the following family.
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