Family-based resources tell us that Elizabeth Beeck was born in December 1644. She was the daughter of New Netherland pioneers Pieter Cornelisse and Aaltje Willems Beeck then living in New Amsterdam. Married three times, Elizabeth was an Albany mainstay for most of the second half of the seventeenth century.

Her first husband was English officer Silvester Salisbury. That marriage produced at least four children before his death about 1679. His will, filed in August 1679, had left her his entire estate with instructions for raising their three living children.

In 1682, Elizabeth married Albany physician Cornelis Van Dyck, a widower with children. That marriage added at least two more daughters before Van Dyck's death in 1686. In October 1691, she then married Captain George Bradshaw. But he died within a year leaving her a widow for the third time. Calling her his "loving wife," Bradshaw left her the balance of his estate. She was a member of the Albany Dutch church.

In November 1673, she purchased a house on what became South Pearl Street from Richard Pretty. A few years later, she was identified as the administrator of the Salisbury estate. At different times, she was involved in a number of real estate transactions and also served as an Indian interpreter.

Called "Mrs. Bradshaw," her home was included on the Albany census of households in 1697.

Elizabeth Beeck Salisbury Van Dyck Bradshaw was dead by May 1698 when letters of administration were granted to her son, Francis Salisbury.

Sources: The life of Elizabeth Beeck Salisbury Van Dyck Bradshaw is CAP biography number 6029. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.