Catharina Staats Van Schaick
by
Stefan Bielinski


Catharina Staats was born during the late 1670s. She was the daughter of Albany residents Jacob and Ryckie Staats. Her father was a prominent surgeon who re-married in 1711 following the death of his first wife. Catharina followed her family into the Albany Dutch church - which she joined herself in 1696.

In December 1699, she married Albany trader Gosen S. Van Schaick. By 1719, their nine children had been christened in Albany.

These Van Schaicks set up their home near the river and the Dutch church. However, the marriage ended with the untimely death of Gosen in 1725 at the age of thirty-eight. Catharina buried him in the churchyard cemetery. She would live another three decades as his widow.

In 1734, she was left two parcels of pasture land near the old fort in the will of her father. Perhaps she resided with her son, Sybrant, who would be appointed mayor of Albany in 1756.

Catharina Staats Van Schaick filed a will in November 1756. It passed probate in July 1761.

biography in-progress



notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Catharina Staats Van Schaick is CAP biography number 4574. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 1/5/05