Claes Frederickse Van Patten

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According to family-based resources, New Netheland pioneer Claes Frederickse Van Patten was born in Holland in May 1641. He was in the Albany area by 1664 when he leased a farmstead on the Schenectady flats. He is the patriarch of the Van Patten/Petten family of New Netherland and New York.

He has been counted among the original settlers of Schenectady and was identified as a "Husbandman." His holdings have been chronicled online.

In 1672, he married Aefie Arents Bradt - daughter of deceased Schenectady proprietor. At least four children were christened by the couple between 1684 and 1692 although their family may have been somewhat larger.

In 1679, he is said to have owned a half interest in a Hudson River sloop.

In 1683 and afterwards, he was a member of the Albany Dutch church. A subscription list for that year, included him with the "farmers below." An assessment for 1689, taxed him with the "farmers in Marte Gerritse's company."

Between 1683 and 1694, he was identified as a resident of Papsknee Island. He is said to have missed the so-called Schenectady massacre as, at that time, he was living at Papsknee.

Under the rule of Jacob Leisler, he held minor official appointments.

In 1697, his household was configured on the census in Rensselaerswyck. At that time, his family included three adults and five children.

Afterwards, these aging Van Pattens appear to have returned to their Schenectady holdings. In 1720, two individuals identified as "Claes Van Petten" were included on a list of freeholders for Schenectady.

Both Claes Frederickse Van Patten and his wife died in 1728 and were buried in the Schenectady cemetery. He had lived more than eighty-seven years.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Claes Frederickse Van Patten has no CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted 3/20/13