Johannes Van Allen

Johannes Van Allen was born during the 1670s. He was the son of Albany residents Pieter and Maria Teller Van Allen. His father died in 1674 and his mother re-married.

In December 1701, he married Christina Ten Broeck at the Albany Dutch church. She was the daughter of his father's one-time servant who, at that time, was one of the most important personages in the upriver region of New York. By 1710, five of their children had been christened in Albany.

These Van Allens set up their home in Albany's first ward near the church. Johannes was a businessman whose name consistantly was included on community-based survey documents. In 1709, his Albany property was assessed at a rate accorded other successful merchants. In 1720 and 1742, he was identified as an Albany freeholder living in the first ward.

During the early 1700s, he served as firemaster and juror but held no higher offices in city government. Also, he does not seem to have been connected to the Albany militia.

Johannes Van Allen died in April 1750 and was buried from his Albany church.

Sources: The life of Johannes Van Allen is CAP biography number 5621. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.