Paulus Martense Van Benthuysen
by
Stefan Bielinski


Paulus Martense may have arrived in New Netherland in 1654. By the end of the decade, he had settled in Beverwyck where he was known as "Paulus Martense." He was the patriarch of the early Albany family known as "Van Benthuysen."

About 1660, he married Catharina Van Kleeck of Flatbush. The marriage produced several children who survived to adulthood. He was a member of the Albany Dutch church.

He was known as a wheelwright and/or windowmaker. He lived at several locations in Albany and was an active buyer and seller of properties within the stockade. He lived on Market Street before he sold the property to Harme Gansevoort in 1677. In 1679, his name appeared on a census of Albany householders. In 1697, his household included Catharina and one child. Two years later, signed an oath pledging allegiance to the King of England. In 1702, his first ward house was assessed at ten pounds!

Paulus Martense Van Benhuysen probably was dead by 1709 when "Cathalina V Benthuysen" was listed on the assessment roll."

biography in-progress



notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Paulus Martense Van Benthuysen is CAP biography number 5338. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 2/5/04