Pieter Ryckman probably was born during the 1670s. He was the son of Albany founders Albert Janse and Cornelia Quackenbush Ryckman. He grew up in a large Albany family whose lives revolved around his father's riverside brewery. He probably was one of the four adult males living in his father's house in 1697.

In May 1696, he married Cornelia Keteltas at the New York City Dutch church. By 1708, the mariage had produced at least four children who were christened at the New York and then Albany Dutch churches where he was an occasional baptism sponsor.

These Ryckmans lived in the first ward where Pieter was a tailor and small scale merchant. His modest holdings were assessed on municipal tax lists. He also owned other parcels of land within the Albany borders. In June 1737, his lot was referenced in the will filed by a neighbor. In 1720 and 1742, his name appeared on lists of first ward freeholders. He also belonged to an Albany militia company.

After serving as a firemaster, in 1713, he was elected assistant alderman - for a year in the third ward, and for four subsequent terms in the first ward.

He filed a will in September 1747. His wife was dead but he provided for his children and grandchildren. Living into his seventies, Pieter Ryckman died in 1748 and was buried in the Dutch church cemetery on September 4.

Sources: The life of Pieter Ryckman is CAP biography number 1983. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.