Maria Gerrits Van Deusen

by

Maria Gerrits probably was born during the 1660s or 70s. She was the daughter of newcomer businessman Gerrit Ryerse and his wife, Anna Jans Gerritse. Maria probably was born in New York before her parents relocated to Albany.

In 1694, she probably was living in Albany when she was left a share of her father's estate. In 1712, she was named among the four surviving siblings to receive a share of her widowed mother's estate.

In January 1695, she married Albany trader Harpert Jacobse Van Deusen at the Albany Dutch church. By 1715, ten children had been christened in Albany where she was a member.

Her father died about the time of her marriage and she was named in the will filed by her mother in 1712.

This Van Deusen family lived in Albany's second ward where Harpert Jacobse was a successful businessman and Albany operative.

After a marriage of almost forty years, Maria Gerrits Van Deusen lost her husband in 1742, She survived until 1750.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Maria Gerrits Van Deusen is CAP biography number 6025. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted 5/30/06; updated 2/5/18