Hester Wendell Beekman
by
Stefan Bielinski


Hester Wendell was born in September 1686. She was the daughter of Albany residents Jeronimus and Ariaantie Visscher Wendell. Losing her father before she was ten, Hester was raised by her mother in their State Street home.

In January 1714, she was twenty-seven-years-old when she married Albany trader-turned-businessman Johannes Beekman, Jr. By 1722, the marriage had produced three children who were christened at the Albany Dutch church where both parents were regular baptism sponsors.

These Beekmans lived on Pearl Street in a comfortable home attended by servants. Johannes Beekman, Jr. died in 1741. His will left the entire estate to Hester as long as she remained a widow. The will passed probate in 1743. Hester Wendell Beekman died sometime thereafter!

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Hester Wendell Beekman is CAP biography number 2691. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 5/5/05