Who was Hillegond Joris?

Sandra asked:

Hillegond Joris appears as a sponsor at the baptism of my ancestor in the church records of New Amsterdam. I know that lots of times sponsors were family members but I can't figure out how Hillegond connects. Does anyone know anything about her?

Olive Tree Answer: Hi Sandra - Good question! It can be confusing because it is true that very often the Dutch used family as baptismal sponsors. But in this case Hillegond Joris was one of the official midwives of New Amsterdam, and she appears as a witness at many baptisms.

Here is a record of Hillegond's appointment (and suspension) as midwife in 1655:

21 April 1655. Appointment. Hellegond [sic] Joris to be city midwife, and suspension thereof. [Council Minutes vol. VI. 1655. Source: Calendar of Historical Manuscripts in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany NY edited by E.B. O'Callaghan. Dutch Manuscripts:]

I did some research on Hillegond Joris some years back, and here is a summary of what I found:

Hillegond Joris had an illegitimate daughter baptized on 1643 in the New Amsterdam Church. 1643 12 Dec; Hilegond Joris; Vrouwtje; no witnesses Source: New Amsterdam (New York City) Reformed Dutch Church Baptisms

There are several court records concerning this illegitimate birth:

7 July 1644. Declaration. Tryntje Jonas, midwife, respecting a confession of Hellegond Joris as to the paternity of her child. [Register of Provincial Secretary. Vol. II. Calendar of Historical Manuscripts in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany NY edited by E.B. O'Callaghan. Dutch Manuscripts:]

9 July 1644. Delcaration. Annetje Renst and Petertje Jans, that Hellegond Joris had said that Jan, the pilot of the Seven Stars, was the father of her newly born child.

11 July 1644. Declaration. Marritje Lives and Engeltje Mans to the same effect

14 July 1644. Court Proceedings. Fiscal vs Laurens Cornelissen, skipper of the Maid of Enckhuysen; adultery with Hellegond Joris; defendant denies the charge and is ordered to clear himself on oath.[Council Minutes Vol. IV. 1644. Calendar of
Historical Manuscripts in the office of the Secretary of State, Albany NY edited by E.B. O'Callaghan. Dutch Manuscripts:]

28 July 1644. Fiscal vs Laurens Cornelissen, for adultery with Hellegond Joris; defendant denies the charge upon oath and is dismisssed. [Council Minutes Vol. IV. 1644. Calendar of Historical Manuscripts in the office of the Secretary of State,
Albany NY edited by E.B. O'Callaghan. Dutch Manuscripts:]

Hillegond was married to Jan Corneliszen [Van Horn] who died after July 1666. In 1669Hillegond married Mr. Evert Pietersen Keteltas, widower of Grietje Arents.

Banns 16 June 1669: Evert Pieterszen, widower of Grietje Arents, and Hillegond Joris, widow of Jan Corneliszen. Source: New Amsterdam (New York City) Reformed Dutch Church Marriages

By her first husband Jan Cornelis she had 3 children - Cornelis Jansen Van Hoorn, Joris Janszen and Neeltje Janszen.