Catharina De Foreest Douw

Catharina De Foreest was born May 1749. She was the daughter of Philip and Rachel Van Ness De Foreest. She grew up in the North End home of a cooper and city retainer who was a Market Street mainstay perhaps thru the end of the century.

In January 1767, she married Andries V. Douw at the Albany Dutch church. By 1781, six children had been christened in the church where she was a member and pewholder.

Catharina and Andries began to raise their family in the third ward home of his widowed mother. Following Rachel's death in 1780, these Douws took control of the family property. However, Andreas died early in 1783 leaving Catharina and the children in the house at what became 10 Orange Street. In 1790, she was listed on the census as the head of the household and living with a boy, two other females, and two slaves. A decade later, her third ward household exhibited a similar configuation.

The first city directory in 1813 and the listings for the next decade, included the widow's home at 12 Orange Street.

Widow Catharina De Foreest Douw died in August 1823. Her will passed probate in May 1848.

Sources: The life of Catharina De Foreest Douw is CAP biography number 4720. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.