Hendrick G. Van Ness

by


Albany resident Hendrick G. Van Ness was born in January 1715. He was the son of Gerrit and Catharina De Foreest Van Ness. This son of Gerrit was known as "Hendrick G." to prevent confusion with same-named contemporaries.

By the mid 1740s, he had married Margarita Winne. She died at the end of 1754 after bearing three children. In August 1759, he wed Magdalena Vrooman at the Albany Dutch church. By 1767, three more children were christened in the church where he received other services as well.

Perhaps he was the "Hendrick G. Van Ness" identified in 1736 as a partner in the operation of an Albany brick kiln by a notable traditional resource. We seek verification of that claim.

In June 1736, he was one of those who "purchased" lots on the north side of Foxes Creek from the city corporation. In 1739, he was named constable for the third ward. Over the next three decades, he was re-imbursed for performing civic services.

In June 1756, "Henrick Van Ess" was identified as a merchant on a list of Albany householders made by the British army. On a number of occasions before and afterwards, he was referred to as a trader and businessman. During the 1760s, his third ward property was assessed in line with other Albany merchants.

In 1763, his name appeared on a list of freeholders in the Albany area.

After the 1760s, the name of Hendrick Van Ness appears in the community-based record on several occasions. At this point, we are not able to definitively link this individual to those resources.

With outstanding questions on the later life and passing of Albany resident Hendrick G. Van Ness, we move on for now


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Hendrick G. Van Ness is CAP biography number 914. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 8/10/12; updated: 1/13/13