version as these events have been oft quoted by his descendants. There are two major historical references that document one version of William's life: A manuscript from 1724, written by William’s great great grandson David Provost (1670–1725) The book "Biographical and Genealogical Notes of the Provost Family from 1545 to 1895", written by a descendant Andrew J Provost These references tell the story that William lived in Paris and was warned by a Colonel in the King's army about the impending St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. It is then reported that William fled to Holland with his fiancee, escaping the massacre. William was also described as "... a person of distinction and eminence ..." and "noble blood". This version of William's life lists his children as Johannes, David, Wilhelmes, Elias, and Benjamin. Johannes was actually Wilhelmus or Guilliam, the father of David who emigrated to New Amsterdam (now known as New York (city)) in 1624 (see below). There seems to have been some confusion regarding William Provost's story that was handed down to the following generations. Perhaps the story that William Provost was warned by a Colonel in the army and fled is correct ... only that it occurred in Antwerp prior to the Spanish Fury. Some of the descendants of William Provost may have incorrectly linked this event with the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre in Paris. The immediate family of William Provost The family of William Provost [Ghiliam Provoost]: William married Maria Karreman in 1556, William and Maria had: 1. Maijcken Provoost (ca. 1557–1584); married Hans Mertens 2. Elijsabeth Provoost (ca. 1559–); married Andries Jansz van der Muellen William married Maeijken Stevens in 1564, William and Maeijken had (all baptised at St Walburgis' Catholic Church, Antwerp): 1. Anna Provoost (1566–) 2. Margareta Provoost (1567–before 1569) 3. Margareta Provoost (1569–) 4. Katherina Provoost (1570–); married Engbert Jobsz in 1607 5. Wilhelmus Provoost (1572–) 6. Sara Provoost (1573–) 7. Esther Provoost (1574–before 1605); married David Damman 8. Adam Provoost (1575–) The genealogy of some of William's descendants, that lived mainly in the New York area, is documented to at least 1895. Famous descendants of William Provost David Provoost was baptized in Amsterdam 11 August 1611 and passed away in New Amsterdam in 1656. He was the son of Wilhelmus (1572–). He travelled to New Amsterdam (now New York) in 1624, two years before the island was purchased from the local American Indians