Alida Van Schaick Swits

Alida Van Schaick was born in December 1771. She was the first child born to the marriage of Goose and New Jersey native Maria Ten Broeck Van Schaick.

She grew up in a moderate sized family in the Market Street home of a prominent businessman and legendary Revolutionary War officer.

In 1788, she was left a female slave and financial considerations in the will filed by her failing father.

In October 1797, she married the slightly younger (9/11/1772) Albany native Brant Schuyler Swits at the Albany Dutch church. That marriage would produce only one child as her husband was dead by February 1801 when Alida was named co-excutor of the will he filed in Bath, Rensselaer County. However, his will did not pass probate until 1808.

In 1809, Alida's personal property was valued under the Market Street residence of Mary Van Schaick (most likely her mother).

Widow Alida Van Schaick Swits died in April 1823 and was buried from her Albany church. Her will passed probate in May of that year. A newspaper obituary announced that she was aged 52 and that she was buried from 251 North Market Street.

Sources: The life of Alida Van Schaick Swits is CAP biography number 3933. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.