Gysbert Marselis
by
Stefan Bielinski


Gysbert Marselis probably was born about 1660s. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Marselis Jans and Anna Gerritse. He was known by the surname Marselis.

He was one of five children noted in the will filed by his father in June 1690.

By 1683, he had married Barbara Groesbeck. Over the next two decades, their eight children were baptized in the Albany Dutch church where he was a member, frequent baptism sponsor, and one-time churchmaster.

Nominally a shoemaker, he set up his shop in his home in the second ward where he served as constable, assessor, and juror. By 1697, he was a rising merchant and his Pearl Street home an Albany landmark. In 1711, he was chosen assistant alderman for the second ward and served for several years. He also served in an Albany company of the county militia in 1715.

In September 1716, he witnessed the will of his neighbor, the widow Geertie Ten Eyck.

Although still a prominent resident, after 1720, he seems to have retired from public life.

Gysbert Marselis died in June 1740 and was buried from the Dutch church.

PAGE IN PROGRESS


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Gysbert Marselis is CAP biography number 716. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




Home | Site Index | Navigation | Email | New York State Museum


first posted: 11/10/02; revised 9/16/08