Gerrit Swart
by
Stefan Bielinski


In 1652, Gerrit Swart was appointed schout or sheriff of Rensselaerswyck. He also may have been known as "Gerard Swart." In 1665, Swart was appointed sheriff by the Albany magistrates. He may have served until 1670 when he was superceded by Captain Salisbury.

In 1652, he was instructed to proceed to the colony with his wife, maid, and servant and to take up residence in the Greenbush home formerly occupied by Dominie Megapolensis. His salary was set at 400 florins a year.

In 1661, he made a joint will with his wife, Anthonia Ryswyck. Their marriage appears to have been childless.

In 1676, the Albany magistrates appointed him schoolmaster. In 1679, he was identified as an Albany householder. Swart also owned land across the Hudson and along the road north of Albany.

In 1683, he was called a member of the Albany Dutch church. In November 1690, he witness the will of Albany merchant Gerrit Bancker. Gerrit Swart was dead in 1699 when his widow passed.

biography in-progress



notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Gerrit (sometimes shown as the Latin Gerardus) Swart has not yet been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from community-based resources. A sketch of his life appears online as one of the settlers of Rensselaerswyck taken from VRBM. We seek information on his origins and passing.




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first posted: 1/10/05; revised 4/20/06