Arent Van Deusen

by


Arent Van Deusen was born in April 1719. He was the son of Albany-area residents Mattheus and Engeltie Slingerland Van Deusen. His small family included only an older brother.

A day after his brother's wedding in April 1745, Arent was identified as a mason when he married Catharina Waldron at the Albany Dutch church. By 1751, the marriage had produced three daughters who were christened in the church where both parents were lifelong members. His wife died in 1760 and he does not seem to have re-married.

Arent or "Aaron" followed his father-in-law into masonry work - probably continuing in that field with the Waldrons for much of his working life. In 1763, his name was included on a list of Albany freeholders. During the 1760s, his first ward holdings were valued on city assessment rolls and he was a member of an Albany militia company. During the mid-decades of the eighteenth century, his name was found on Albany accounts and in the records of the city government where he was paid for services. However, he does not seem to have held any public service positions.

Well into his fifties at the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, he would have been too old for active service. Most likely, his same-named godson was the other A. Van Deusen accorded a land bounty right in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In 1779 and 1788, his second ward holdings were valued on the Albany assessment rolls.

In 1790, his household also included a boy and four females.

In 1782, outstanding debts to former Albany resident Barent Roseboom were forgiven.

Arent Van Deusen died in March 1792 and was buried from his church.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Arent Van Deusen is CAP biography number 5503. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.





first posted: 10/20/09; last updated: 9/7/12