Johannes Van Iveren

by


Johannes Van Iveren probably was born during the 1670s. He was the son of Myndert Frederickse and his second wife, Pieterje Van Vechten Van Iveren. He grew up in a large combined family in the third ward home of a prominent blacksmith and sometime fur trader. In 1697 he wa accounted for in the household of his father. In 1699, he signed a commmunity-based document swearing allegiance to the king of England.

In 1704, he was named in the will filed by his father. By that time, he had left home and settled in Schenectady. He was a smith, "armorer at the fort," and fur trader. In 1720, his name appeared on a list of Schenectady freeholders. During the 1720s, he was in trouble with the Albany court for illegal fur trading. However, in 1723, he found satisfaction at the New York Supreme Court - where he was vindicated. He is credited with establishing Schenectady's right to trade - thus breaking Albany's mandated monopoly on the activity.

His wife was Geertruy Van Slyck - the mother of at least four children. Like his father, he was a Lutheran but relied on the Dutch church for services.

Johannes Van Iveren filed a will in May 1754. It described his Schenectady property which included a smithy and bolting house. The will passed probate in September 1757.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Johannes Van Iveren has not been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 6/25/07