Joannes Nevius was born at Zoelen, Holland, where he was baptised March 14, 1627, as the son of Rev. Joannes Neefius and Maria Becx. On November 18, 1653, he was united in marriage to Ariantje Bleyck a resident of Botavia in the island of Java.

Joannes Nevius became a man of prominence in New Amsterdam, where he held the office of Clerk of the Burgomasters, as early as 1658, which office he filled for some time subsequent to this date. After the surrender of New Amsterdam to the British in 1664, Joannes Nevius, because of his imperfect knowledge of the English language, found the duties of his office more difficult, and after using the services of an English assistant for some years, appears to have retired from public service. He devoted his remaining years to the management of the ferry business, belonging to his deceased father-in-law's estate.

Joannes Nevius had died previous to 1672, in which year his wife petitioned and was allowed an extension of six years of her deceased husband's ferry lease. In this petition the wife set forth that she was the widow "with six helpless children." Joannes Nevius and Arianje Bleyck baptised eight children, (two of whom died while infants) in the Dutch Reformed Church of New Amsterdam and New York.

Joris (George) Nevius or Neefies, son of Cornelis Nevius and Agatha Joris, born on Staten Island, about 1686, married about 1710, Willemptje Barcaloo of Borkelo. Joris was the progenitor of various families of Long Island and elsewhere known as "Neefus," "Naphis," "Neefies," "Nafis," and "Napheys," He is believed to have signed his name only by his mark, as he did his will . He lived in Richmand County, Staten Island, New York, as late as January, 1726, and is first known to be in Bucks County Pennsylvania in Northampton Township, in 1732. Joris' first eight children were born on Staten Island, being baptised at Port Richmand, 1711-1726. The eleventh and twelfth were baptised in the Dutch Church of North and Southhampton, between 1732 and 1734. The officiating Clergyman at the baptisms spelled Joris' name on the records "Neefies" and "Nefey".

"George Nief" (Joris Neefies) was a private in Captain August Graham's North Company, in 1715: other members of his family were in the same company. Joris Neefies died between April 12, 1744, on which date he made his will, and July 16, 1745, the date the inventory was made. As the inventory was not filed, nor the will probated until 1755, it is presumed that the widow Willemptje Barcaloo, died at this time and that it became necessary to probate the will to settle the estate.

Margarietje Neefies, baptised October 15, 1721, the second daughter of the name, of Joris Neefies and Willemptje Barkaloo, Married first on March 31, 1744, Ryck Van Ende, of Long Island. Margarietje Neefies and Ryck Van Ende baptised three children in the Dutch Reformed Church of North and Southampton, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

"The subject of this record was a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1828. His parents, neither of whom are living, were John and Elizabeth (Fostner) Nafius. He was united by marriage, in 1852 in Floyd County, Indiana, to Jane Hinkley. His wife was born in 1831 in Floyd County, Indiana, and was a daughter of Jacob and Charity (Coin) Hinkley, parents long ago deceased. Three children were the issue of this marriage: Alfred dec., Theodore C. and Harry L., born in order given. Comrade Nafius was a contractor and was 33 years of age when the late War of the Rebellion broke out. He responded to the second call for volunteers, enlisting July 23 1861 , at New Albany, Ind. for three years as a private in Co. C, 49th Ind. V. I. , and was unanimously elected Capt. of his Co. He was never wounded or in the hospital during his term of service: he was granted a furlough of thirty days January, 1864, near Vicksburg: this was renewed for sixty days and he reported for duty March, 1864, at Matagora Bay. With this exception, he was constantly engaged with his command, taking an active part in the following engagements: Cumberland Gap, Chickasaw Bayou, Champion Hill, Grand Gulf, Thompson Hill, Black River, Arkansas Post, assult on Vicksburg three times, Black River Bridge, Jackson, Red river Expedition and Nashville: his term of service having expired, he was honorably discharged Dec., 1864 at Indianapolis, Ind. His wife's father, J. B. Hinkley was in government service on the river: her brother Wm. B., served in 23d Ind. V. I. as engineer in gunboat service, Comrade Nafius is a member of Sanderson Encampment, U. V. L., No. 21, he is in receipt of a pension, he is a builder and contractor and resides in New Albany, Indiana."

Note: Captain John Nafius began recruiting August 28, 1861, offering a $100.00 bounty at the end of the war! An original copy of this handbill exists at the website. Facsimiles of that original are available. Also copies of the page (1213) from the publication "Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen" as well as the record of the "49th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry" from "A compendium of the war of the rebellion" by Frederick H. Dyer. Copyright, 1908.

May 1997
Submitted by a Grandson

Francis Mildred Nafius (DeSpain) (b.1873) was known as Grandma Nafius, Grandma, Granny, Aunt Fanny, and various other endearing names. she was a good houskeeper. As children we would often see her, after her household chores were done, outside, sweeping the dirt to get rid of the dust. She was a very simple lady but always prompt. If she was to stay elsewhere for a few days, and was to be picked up at noon on Saturday, she would begin to pack on Wednesday. She would bring her suitcase to the living room and place it by the front door on Thursday. On Friday she would spend the better part of the day curling her hair. Grandma would use a very old curling iron that she would heat to a glow in the front burner, on the kitchen stove. Saturday morning at 9:00, she would be sitting on the arm of a chair, by the front door, hat and coat on, ready to go. She could make the best berry cobbler, that to this day, we have ever had. Grandma would not let us run in front of the TV in our night clothes or in anything but fully dressed. She just knew that if we could see those people on TV that they could see us. We teased her a lot as youngsters. Grandma took it well, and only remarked. "You'll miss me when I'm gone." Yes Grandma, we sure do......

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