Evert De Ridder

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Evert De Ridder probably was born during the 1660s. He is said to have been a son of one Gerrit De Ridder. We seek specific documentation on his origins and path to Albany.

In April 1688, "Evert De Ridder" married Anna Van Ness at the Albany Dutch church. At that time, both partners were noted as "living here." By 1713, eleven children had been christened at the Albany church.

His name appeared on the initial membership list (dating from 1683) of the Albany church along with that of his wife.

According to traditional sources, Evert De Ridder was a schoolteacher in Albany as early as 1688. In 1703, Evert Ridder of "this County" appeared before the city council, petitioned and was granted "his freedom in the city" and to be "a free citizen." He then applied and was granted "permission to teach schoole in the Citty."

In 1689, an Albany assessment showed that his home was in the first ward. Eight years later, in 1697, the census showed "Evert Ridder" living in Rensselaerswyck. In 1709, his third ward property was valued on the Albany assessment roll. In 1710, Albany records identified him as collector (of taxes).

Provincial records show that one Evert De Ridder was commissioned a lieutenant in the militia by Jacob Leisler in 1690. Subsequently, he was identified as a lieutenant of the volunteers sent to Schenectady to pursue those who destroyed the village.

Evert De Ridder was last mentioned in the records in January 1713 in conjunction with the baptism of his last daughter.

With important but unresolved issues regarding the life of this legendary character but without verifiable resources, we move on for now.

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Evert De Ridder is CAP biography number 7830. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. At this point, we have not organized a De Ridder access page. Online: Saratoga settlers;




first posted 5/30/06; last revised 5/10/15