Introduction

Biography

Henricus was the son of Jan Hen­drick­zn Sel­ijns and An­ge­niet­je Web­ber, and hus­band of Mar­ga­re­tha de Rie­mer.

He at­tend­ed the Uni­ver­si­ty of Ley­den, was or­dained in 1600, and sailed for New Am­ster­dam (now New York) that same year.

His first con­gre­ga­tion was at Breuc­ke­len (Brook­lyn). He al­so preached at Gov­er­nor Pe­ter Stuy­ve­sant’s cha­pel.

Selyns re­turned to Hol­land in 1664, ac­cept­ing a po­si­tion at Wa­ver­een, but went back to Am­er­ica in 1682.

In ad­di­tion to pas­tor­al du­ties, Sel­yns was Gov­er­nor Stuy­ve­sant’s La­tin Sec­re­ta­ry.

Due to his ef­forts, in 1696 the Dutch Re­formed Church re­ceived the first char­ter in the co­lo­ny.