David Vanderheyden

by


David Vanderheyden was born in May 1695. He was the son of Dirck and Rachel Ketelhuyn Vanderheyden. He grew up in a trader's home in Albany's first ward. By the time he was twenty, his parents had re-located to a farm in Schaghticoke where they lived for the next two decades.

In December 1725, he married Albany native Geertruy Visscher at the Albany Dutch church. By 1740 seven children had been christened at the Albany church where both parents were members, pewholders, and regular baptism sponsors.

David Vanderheyden made his home in Albany's second ward. He was numbered among the core group of Albany-based merchants. In his younger days, he ventured into the Indian country to trade. He found success in business over a long career by representing the interests of frontier developers including John Henry Lydius and William Johnson. A key in his success is the import/export connections he established with New York and beyond.

Assessment rolls and other community documents represented him as very wealthy and living in a "very good house."

Like other successful Albany merchants, he invested in frontier land while also purchasing parcels within the boundaries of Albany.

He served the community when he was elected alderman in first 1745. He later served as assistant judge on the county court. In 1742 and again in 1763, his name appeared on a list of Albany freeholders.

A long career of service culminated in his commissioning as a Major and then Lieutenant Colonel in the Albany militia during the 1760s. He was known as "Major Vanderheyden."

In February of 1770, he announced that he was "sick and weak," when David Vanderheyden filed a will. He died soon there after as the will passed probate in September.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of David Vanderheyden is CAP biography number 5677. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 10/20/06