Michaelius, Jonas

Michaelius, Jonas a Reformed (Dutch) minister, the first minister of the Reformed Church in America, was born in 1577; was educated at Leyden University; settled in Holland in 1612-16, in St. Salvador in 162425, in Guinea in 1626-27, and then migrated to this country, and arrived at Manhattan (now New York) in 1628. He organized a consistory, administered the sacraments, and performed all the functions of a minister of the Gospel. In 1633 he was succeeded by the Rev. Everardus Bogardus, who was accompanied by Adam Roelandsen, the first schoolmaster. After a few years of service he returned to Holland, and "the Classis of Amsterdam wished to send him back to New York in 1637, but he did not return. At his first communion here he had fifty communicants. He paints a sad picture of the low condition of the natives, and proposes to let the parents go and try to educate the children. His letter breathes a spirit of deep piety, and of submission to the divine will in all his bereavements." His wife died in 1628, only seven weeks after their arrival in this country, leaving him with three small children. This letter, and other particulars respecting this pioneer of the Dutch churches in this country, are found in Colonial Hist. of New York, 2:759-770. See also Corwin's Manual Ref. Church, page 164. (W.J.R.T.)