Debora Hansen was born in August 1693. She was the daughter of Albany leader and businessman Hendrick and Deborah Van Dam Hansen .

She married Albany native Jacob Beekman in December 1714. By 1733, six of her children were baptized at the Albany Dutch church where she was an occasional baptism sponsor.

These Beekmans lived on Pearl Street while Jacob was on his way to establishing himself in the community before an untimely death in March 1739. His will left a considerable estate for the use of his widow. Previously, she had inherited from her father - a one-time mayor of Albany.

Debora Hansen Beekman did not enjoy a long life either. Although she was left use of the estate of her husband in his will filed in 1738, she died in December 1745 at the age of fifty-two. She was buried from the Albany Dutch church. Her son, Johannes, was appointed mayor of Albany in 1783.

Sources: The life of Debora Hansen Beekman is CAP biography number 4947. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.