by Stefan Bielinski Catharina Pruyn probably was the daughter of one of the sons of early Albany settler Frans Janse Pruyn or of a son of his brother, Jacob Pruyn of New York. In February 1737, she married Manhattan-born gunsmith Bernardus Harsen in a ceremony at the Albany Dutch church. By 1754, four of her children had been christened in the Albany church where she was an occasional baptism sponsor. These Harsens lived in the first and second wards during the 1740s and 50s. Her husband probably died during the early 1760s. The property of "Cath. Harsen and son" was included on the second ward assessment roll in 1767. Catharina Pruyn Harsen died sometime thereafter! notes Sources: The life of Catharina Pruyn Harsen is CAP biography number 2183. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. first posted: 2/25/05 |