Hendrick Bries

Hendrick Bries was from Beest, a village in Gelderland, Holland. He emigrated to New Netherland about 1661. By 1668, he was living in Albany.

About that time, he married Rensselaerswyck resident Maria De Hooges. Their son became an Albany resident. Hendrick was a member of the Albany Dutch church.

In October 1674, he was among those invited to the funeral of Rensselaerswyck director Jeremias Van Rensselaer.

He was known as a shoemaker, master shoemaker, and businessman whose home was included on a census of Albany householders in 1679 and on a list of Albany burghers dated 1681. In 1689, his landmark house was valued on an assessment roll for the second ward.

In 1688, he served as a firemaster. In 1692, he served on a jury and as constable for the second ward.

Hendrick Bries was dead by April 1694 when his widow petitioned for payment of his debts.

Sources: The life of Hendrick Bries is CAP biography number 6332. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.