Mary Wilemson Deureant

     Mary was born circa 1601 in Woerden, Utrecht, Netherlands. Mary married Lion Gardiner before 10 July 1635 in Holland, Netherlands. On 10 July 1635, Mary & her husband, Lion, left Rotterdam for London. On the 16th of August, they left London aboard the ship, "Batcheler", bound for New England. Among those aboard was Lion Gardiner aged 36 years, his wife: Mary aged 34 years, maid servant: Eliza Coles aged 23 years & William Jobe aged 40 years. "These are to passe to New England having brought certificates of conformitie." They arrived in the Boston harbor the 28th of November. On 16 August 1635, this small vessel left London.. Because of the time of year and the frigid temperatures, when their ship arrived in Boston, Lion and the rest of the party that was destined for the new Connecticut colony, had to remain in Boston until Spring. While there, the leaders took advantage of Lion’s skills and had him help in fortifying their positions there. After completing that task, he was asked to go to Salem and recommend what needed to be done to secure that settlement’s safety. On his return, Lion reported that the people were in far greater need of provisions to prevent them from starving, then from risk of Indian attack. In the following Spring, Lion and those who were to establish the settlement left Boston on the “Batcheler” to go onto the site of the new settlement at the mouth of the Connecticut. Lion was apprehensive due to the small number of settlers as compared to the number of Indians that made the area their home. In spite of the small number of workers, he was able to complete the fort and named it after the Lords who were largely responsible for the settlement, Saye and Brooke, Saybrooke Fort. The family lived at Saybrook Fort for four years. Mary's husband, Lion, died in 1663 in East Hampton, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, leaving her a widow. Mary made her will on 19 April 1664 at East Hampton, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.

"I, Mary Gardiner, of Maidstone, alias East Hampton, upon Long Island." Widow of Lion Gardiner, "I give my Island, called Isle of Wight, alias Monchonock, to my son, David Gardiner, for life." Then to his next male heire. If he die without male issue, then to the male heir of my daughter Mary. If she die without male issue, then to the heir male of my grandchild Elizabeth Howell " to be entailed to the heirs male of my deceased husband, Lion Gardiner, never to be sold, but to be a continuous inheritance forever." Leaves to daughter Mary Conckling "my whole accomodation at East Hampton." Mentions sons-in-law Jeremiah Conckling and Arthur Howell. Makes Mr. Thomas James, "minister of the Word of God," Mr. John Mulford and Mr. Robert Bond, all of East Hampton, the overseers of will. They are also the witnesses.
Dated April 19, 1664.

She wrote a codicil to her will on 15 January 1665.

She mentions same persons and witnesses. Proved June 6, 1665. Leters of Administration granted to son, David Gardiner, October 5, 1665. [Her maiden name was Mary Deureant.] [New York Wills: Liber 1-2, page 2]

Mary departed this life before 6 June 1665 in East Hampton, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. She was buried there in the Old Burying Ground. The inscription on her stone reads: Here lyeth buried ye body of Mary Willemsen Deurcant wife of his Excellcy Lion Gardiner first lord of ye Isle of Wight and daughter of Dericke Willemsen and Hachin Bastien of ye town of Worden in Holland born 1601 died this place 1665.⁴