Jacob Tysse Vanderheyden

Jacob Tyssen was the patriarch of the Vanderheyden family of early Albany. Claiming he was sixty -years-old in 1677, perhaps he was born in Europe about 1617. His father was Matthys.

His first wife is said to have been Elsje Berrits. In 1655, he married Anna Hals and they emigrated to New Netherland. By 1675, that union had produced eight children.

Beginning during the late 1650s, he appeared frequently before the Beverwyck and Albany courts. In 1660, he was identified as one of the fur traders advocating more liberal trading policies. Earlier, he also was known as a tailor.

In 1679, he was identified as an Albany householder. In 1681, he was among the Albany burghers who signed a petition advocating more structure for the fur trade. In 1684, he was exempted from taxes because his house had burned down. During these years, he owned and sold a number of pieces of property in and around Albany.

Jacob Tysse Vanderheyden died in October 1687 and was buried in the church plot. His widow survived for many years. His third ward lot was valued on the Albany assessment roll in 1702.

Sources: The life of Jacob Tysse Vanderheyden is CAP biography number 5688. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.