History and lore
In the Marlatt-Merlet DNA Project, the one tested descendant of Josias closely matches the descendants of his brother Abraham, which suggests the two shared the same father, most likely Gedeon. That descendant carries a rare value at marker DYS456, also found in several Pennsylvania and New Jersey families not yet linked to the tree, who may prove to be Josias’s descendants too. Land records show Josias’s wife was named Jane or Jean.
Read the full report: The Marlatt-Merlet DNA Project: Summary Report
The eldest son, Josias was about 17 when he sailed with his parents and three younger brothers aboard Der Permerlander Kerck, sailing from Amsterdam on 12 October 1662 and reaching New Amsterdam in February 1663. In 1675 he and his brother Paulus shared with their father a patent for 243 acres on Staten Island and 30 acres of salt meadow at the mouth of Fresh Kill.
Read the full article: Across the Atlantic in 1662: The Merle Family Comes to New Netherland