Matthys Nack was born about 1670. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Jan and Catharina Roemers Nack. His parents recently had migrated north to the Albany area.

In July 1698, he married Susanna Lansing in the Albany Dutch church where he was a member. Twins were born in 1699. However, the marriage was short-lived. In December 1702, he married Agnietie Schaets. The second marriage produced eight children who were christened in Albany and New York by 1720.

In 1697, he was accounted for in his father's house on the census. In 1699, he signed a community petition pledging loyalty to the king. His second and third ward homes were assessed on subsequent tax rolls. In 1715, his name appeared on a roster of an Albany militia company.

During the first decades of the eighteenth century, Matthys Nack served as firemaster and constable for the third ward and, in 1716, as high constable for the city. In 1701, Albany sent him to carry a message to Oneida. His home was an Albany landmark.

After 1718, his name dropped from Albany rolls. Perhaps he relocated to New York where his last two children were baptized.

Sources: The life of Matthys Nack is CAP biography number 5288. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.