Isaac Verplanck
by
Stefan Bielinski


Isaac Verplanck is said to have been christened in New Amsterdam in June 1641. He was a son in the large family of New Netherland pioneers Abraham Issacse and Maria Vigne Verplanck. He grew up in the home of a Manhattan businessman and property holder.

Probably by the mid-1670s, he had married Abigail Utenbogert and had settled in Albany. By 1700, the marriage had produced at least ten children most/all of whom were christened at the Albany Dutch church where the parents were members and regular baptism sponsors.

In 1678, he purchased a house and lot on the hill in Albany from Abraham Van Tricht. The following year, his home was included on the Albany census. In 1689, his first ward property was valued on the city assessment roll. For several decades he was an Albany mainstay. By 1709, his primary property was in the second ward and was of modest value. Previously, he had inherited real property in New York from his father's estate.

He was a shoemaker who actively supported community functions as juror, assessor and collector, and constable. In 1686, He was named assistant alderman under the new city charter. He was elected and re-elected alderman a number of times afterwards. In 1699, he signed a community-based document pledging loyalty to the king of England.

Albany mainliner Isaac Verplanck may have passed on by 1720 as his name was not included on a countywide list of freeholders.

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Isaac Verplanck is CAP biography number 1127. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.



first posted 6/10/05; last updated 1/15/14