Nicholas Van Schaick was born in July 1701. He was the son of Dominicus and Rebecca Groesbeck Van Schaick. He grew up in his father's house in Kinderhook.

In February 1728, he married Dorothea Witbeck - a thirty-year-old spinster who was pregnant with their first child. By 1736, four children had been christened at the Albany Dutch church.

These Van Schaicks made their home in Albany's first ward. In 1730, Nicholas was appointed firemaster. His name appeared on the list of freeholders in 1742. In December 1748, city records showed that he had agreed to supply shot and powder to blockhouse #7.

Dorothea died in June 1740 at the age of forty-two. Even though his family had several small children, Nicholas Van Schaick does not appear to have re-married. He died in September 1750 at the age of forty-eight.

Sources: The life Nicholas (Claes) Van Schaick is CAP biography number 3978. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.