Huybertie Marselis Yates

by

Huybertje Marselis probably was born during the 1650s or early 1660s. She was the daughter of Beverwyck pioneers Marselis Janse and Anna Gerrits. Her family later took the surname "Marselis." Her tavernkeeper father also was able to acquire substantial real property and holdings in Albany and its hinterland. Except for a brother who later moved to Schenectady, Huybertie's surviving siblings would become her Albany neighbors.

Over the winter of 1675-76, Huybertie Marselis was the subject of a lengthy court case regarding the paternity and support of her child. In April 1676, the Albany court ordered Jan Hendrickse Bruyn to pay her a large sum as it found "it a matter of no small consequence to seduce a young girl in one's own house." At that time, she was in her mid-teens.

However, all was not lost as by the early 1680s, she had met and married Joseph Yates, an England-born garrison soldier. Still a young woman, their marriage produced nine children who were baptized in the Albany Dutch church where Huybertie was a member. Joseph Yates settled in Albany where he supported his family as a blacksmith, contractor, and carter.

In June 1690, she was one of five children noted in the will filed by her father. However, no mention was made of her husband but her unnamed children were referenced as contingent heirs.

In 1697, their household consisted of the parents and six children. A decade later, the "Yeats" home within the soldier enclave in the first ward was assessed modestly. A number of their children would become prominent Albany residents.

One-time soldier Joseph Yates passed on in May 1730. Huybertie Marselis Yates died two months later and was buried in the Dutch Church cemetery. She was the matriarch of the Albany Yates family although she lived for less than sixty years.

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notes

the people of colonial AlbanyThe life of Huybertje Marselis Yates is CAP biography number 726. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. Her first name has been variously interpreted as Hybertje, Huybertie, and other ways as well.

For more on this, see CMA, II, 31, 56, 87-90. No further information on the child has been found.


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first posted: 7/16/01; recast and revised 4/1/15