Prince William Dehart - Emigrants of Hardt : Were they once French

"In the will of Balthasar de Hardt who died across the Atlantic in New York, we read that his will was written partly in French.
He emigrated about 1660 from the Province of Guelderland, in which there is a village of Hart; he or his ancestors were
probably French and his will was partly written in that language. He settled in New York City where he became a merchant
and shipper. He had two sons, Matthias the ancestor of the Elizabeth, NJ branch; and Daniel, the ancestor of the Staten Island
branch, by Margaret Stuyvesant (Margrietie), the widow Backer.1
In his will, he wrote: 1672, the 4th day of January on Thursday, in the afternoone, about 3 of the clock, I Wm. Bogardus,
notarie Publick in New York, admitted by the Hon. Col. Francis Lovelace. . . . Comes as witnesses those that have these underwritten,
unto Balthazar DeHart, merchant and Inhabitant of this city, a man well known to the witnesses and mee. Being
sickly of body nevertheless having his memory and speech as well as formerly. Soe as outwardly did appear." He doth bequeath
unto his natural son Matthias DeHart, 2,000 guilders Holland money, which shall remain put and secured upon the
house and lot of said DeHart where hee for the present dwelleth, lying within this city between the house of Mr. John
Lawrence and the widow of Daniel Litsche, until he comes of age. And he is to have maintainance with reasonable vittles,
and clothes, and likewise to be teached to read and write, and in a trade also that thereby he may help himself. He leaves to
his natural son Daniel DeHart, . . a certain house and lot, as likewise the lot that came of Robert Baulands, belonging thereto,
lying within the city upon the Heere Gracht, where . . . Elias Provoost, smith, for the present doe dwell. Likewise 2 great stilling
kettles, and 60 guilders wampum yearly until he is of age. Also leaves . . . a certain cedar chest with all that may be found
therein, and a negro woman named Sarah with her 3 children. He doth make as a gift to his brother Jacobus DeHart all the
land in Haverstroo, purchased by the testator of the Indyans, and a Patent granted by the Governor, Philip Carterett. He leaves
the remainder of his estate to his true brothers Daniel, Matthias, and Jacobus DeHart, and to the children of his sister Willemyntie.
And that this may be done in the uprighteousest and truest manner, he appoints Hendrick Van Bomell, Jacob Teunison
Kay, his good and acquainted friends, to administer this will and estate, and Jacques Cousseau is to take an exact invoice of
goods. Dated and past in the house of the testator, being present Mr. Hans Kierdstede, Chirurgeon, and Timon Van Borsum as
desired witnesses, which with the said DeHart and mee Notary being subscribed the original hereof the day and year above
written. Translated out of Dutch into English by me, Thomas Lovell.2 Whereas Mr. Balthazar De Hart, of this city, merchant,
did in his will appoint Jan Hendricks Van Bommell, Jacob Teunison Kay, and Mons. Jacques Cousseau his executors, they are
confirmed. July 24,1671."