Elizabeth Wendell Staats

Elizabeth Wendell was born in November 1724. She was the daughter of Evert and Engeltie Lansing Wendell. She grew up a middle child in the large family of a prominent Albany, businessman, attorney, and regional landholder. She was the sister of Albany mainstays Abraham E. and Philip Wendell.

In July 1749, she was identified as an heir in the will filed by her affluent father. She was named to share with her four siblings his substantial Albany pastures and other properties as well.

In January 1760, she married Barent Staats at St. Peter's Anglican church. At that time, the thirty-five year old Albany native was identified as a "spinster." Her new husband was in his early twenties. Perhaps the marriage produced only a daughter who was acknowledged in 1782. In 1770, she took over the Dutch church pew formerly held by her recently deceased mother.

The newlyweds appear to have made their home with his parents in Albany's first ward along with two of Barent's brothers. In 1779, Barent still was a resident in the State Street home of his widowed mother.

Barent Staats called himself a resident of Rensselaerswyck when he wrote his will in 1782. Elizabeth and married daughter Molly were named as heirs. Elizabeth and her brothers were named as executors. In 1790, these Staates were counted with the residents of Watervliet . Barent I. Staats died in September 1794.

We seek information on the later life and passing of Elizabeth Wendell Staats

Sources: The life of Elizabeth Wendell Staats is CAP biography number 2858. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.