Gerardus Groesbeck

by


Gerardus Groesbeck was born in October 1709. He was the youngest son of Albany leaders Stephanus and Elizabeth Lansing Groesbeck. He grew up in a prominent merchant's house in Albany's second ward.

He was twenty-nine in March 1739 when he married young Maria Ten Broeck at the Albany Dutch church. Four months later, the first of their ten children was christened in the Albany church where he was a pewholder and regular baptism sponsor.

They set up their home on Pearl Street in a "good house" Gerardus had inherited from his father. Stephanus Groesbeck left this younger son substantial real estate and monetary resources. Like his father and father-in-law, Gerardus was a merchant and was involved in the Indian trade. Although absent from earlier listings, in 1763, his name appeared on a list of Albany freeholders..

Besides his Albany holdings, Gerardus had lots in Rensselaerswyck and shares in patents beyond.

Aside from occasional accounts with the city and being elected assistant alderman for the third ward in 1742, Gerardus remained a low profile, moderately successful merchant as his active life wound down in the third quarter of the eighteenth century.

Gerardus Groesbeck died in September 1788 and was buried from his church. His will passed probate in December 1794. His widow lived on until 1805.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Gerardus Groesbeck is CAP biography number 3298. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 7/15/06