Johannes Knickerbacker

by


Johannes Knickerbacker is said to have been born in 1679. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Harmen Janse and Elizabeth Bogert Knickerbacker.

In October 1701, he married Rensselaerswyck native Anna Quackenbush at the Albany Dutch church. By 1723, six children had been christened in Albany. Family information was recorded in his legendary bible.

In 1715, Johannes was identified as a member of John Schuyler's troop of horse. In 1720, he was identified among the freeholders of Schaghticoke.

Perhaps he was the same Johannes Knickerbacker who acted as interpreter at a meeting between the River Indians, the royal governor, and the Indian commissioners held in Albany in August 1722.

From 1716 to 1736, he appears to have been a tenant of the city of Albany but the records do not indicate if he held property in Albany or Schaghticoke or both. He was one of the first purchasers of a patent for Schaghticoke land in 1708.

Johannes Knickerbacker was last heard from in September 1736 when he purchased woodland at Schaghticoke. However, a Johannes Knickerbacker witnessed the will of Hans Hansen in March 1756. But that individual well could have been his son and namesake - born in 1723.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Johannes Knickerbacker has not been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 8/25/06