Hendrick J. Beekman

Hendrick J. Beekman was born in April 1718. He was the eldest son of Albany blacksmith Jacob and his wife, Debora Hansen Beekman. Their family bible helps document the life cycle of this particular Beekman family. Hendrick Jacobse grew up in a home on Pearl Street.

His father died in March 1739 a few months after leaving the house to his wife and then children. However, Jacob Beekman's will did not pass probate until June 1746.

Hendrick does not appear to have married but may have shared the family home with his widowed mother and younger siblings. In 1744, he was appointed firemaster for the second ward. His mother passed away in 1745.

Hendrick Jacobse Beekman died in September 1746 and was buried from the Dutch church. In May 1747, letters of administration were granted on his estate. He was the brother of future Albany mayor Johannes Ja. Beekman.

Sources: The life of Hendrick J. Beekman is CAP biography number 3914. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.