Ryckert Hansen

by


Ryckert Hansen was born in August 1703. He was the son of Albany mainstays Hendrick and Deborah Van Dam Hansen. Both his father and brother had been mayors of Albany. Sometimes, Ryckert Hansen was referred to in the record as "Richard" or as "Dirck."

In 1723, he was left a "convenient apartment" in the house of Abraham Schuyler in the will of his father. Otherwise, he did not share in his father's substantial estate.

In May 1727, he married Sara Thong in New York City. She died in 1733 after bearing three children. In July 1738, he wed Albany native Catharina Ten Broeck - who was fifteen years younger. By 1754, nine more of his children had been christened at the Albany Dutch church where both parents were members and pewholders.

In 1728, he was elected assistant alderman for the third ward. In 1736, he was first elected alderman. He was re-elected for the next four years and then appears to have retired from civic service.

In 1742, his name appeared on a list of freeholders living in the third ward. In 1756, the British army identified the house of Richard Hansen on a census of Albany householders.

In 1766 and 1767, the minimal holdings of Derrick and Ryckert Hansen were valued on city tax lists. We are uncertain if they were the holdings of this individual.

Ryckert Hansen may have been dead by 1766 when his church pew was transferred to his nephew, Johannes J. Beekman. In 1770, his widow was given a share of the city license to operate the ferry across the Hudson.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Ryckert Hansen is CAP biography number 4960. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 8/30/06