Johann van der Zee is the birth name for John Amsterdam, used from when he was born in Amsterdam, Holland through his service in the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam in North America. During an attack on a Lenape village, his personal honor causes him to stand up against his fellow soldiers and prevents the death of a young girl in that village. In the process of having this happen, a sword is thrust through his body in what should have been a fatal injury, but is healed by a Lenape shaman and given the "gift" of being able to live forever.