The Origins of The Clearwaters
GARRETT HOPPERCLEARWATER was born in Paramus, Bergen,
New Jersey, U.S.A. on 25th May, 1816, third son of Frederick and
Hester Clearwater. He was baptised in the Dutch Reform Church
on 16th June, 1816 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1838, possibly
by whaling boat, one of the many American boats working in New
Zealand waters at that time.
Clearwater is the English for the Dutch, Klaarwater, and Frederick
is the seventh generation of Theunis Jacobson Klaarwater, born
in Pann, Rotterdam in 1624. His son, Jacobus, was born in Holland
and emigrated to America.
Frederick Klaarwater was born on 16th April, 1787, at Marbletown,
Ulster, U.S.A., the son of Joseph Klaarwater (Clearwater).
Frederick Clearwater and Hester Vandeline Hopper were married
at Paramus, New Jersey, on 25th December 1811. Fred died in May,
1847 at Manchester and Hester in March, 1876, at Paterson. Hester
Vanderline Hopper is the seventh generation of Andries Hopper
born in Holland about 1625, and emigrated to America about 1650,
and died in New Amsterdam in 1659. He was married in Holland to
Geertie Steinmets.
Paramus, Bergen, New Jersey
The Lenni Lenape Indians gave this land its name. One of the
earliest written versions of the name in 1708 called it Parames.
Later it was referred to as Perampsus. Experts on the Lenni Lenape
language say that Perampsus means literally "where there
is worthwhile or fertile land". Where there was fertile land,
maize or corn was grown and wild turkeys were also found in abundance.
Thus, the meaning of Paramus . . . "A fertile land where
corn was grown attracting wild turkeys".
On April 4, 1922, the Borough
was incorporated. It is a residential community and a retail center
for the surrounding region. Located here are several large retail
shopping malls and a community college.
Paramus occupies 10.573 square miles, 6,767 acres. It is the
second largest among 70 municipalities in Bergen County.
There are over 7,892 homes in Paramus, of which 401 + are two
or more unit structures. Minimum lot size is 75' x 125'. Homes
range from $150,000 to $750,000. The population of Paramus is
approximately 25,100. Median household income as of 1989 is $58,995
compared to the county average of $49,249. Source: U.S. Bureau
of the Census, 1990.
Paramus is in the center of Bergen County and lies astride Rt.
4, Rt. 17 and the Garden State Parkway; Exits 165 and 163 South;
Exits 161,163 and 165 North. Surrounding towns are Ridgewood,
Washington Twp., Rochelle Park, Maywood, Emerson, Oradell, River
Edge and Fair Lawn. New York City is approximately 13 1/2 miles
away.
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