Staats Van Santvoort
by
Stefan Bielinski


Staats Van Santvoort was born about 1720. He was the son of Cornelis and Anna Staats Van Santvoort. Probably born on Staten Island, he grew up in Schenectady where his father took their family upon becoming domine of the Dutch church there in 1720.

In December 1747, he married the older Willempie Bradt of Albany. By 1760, their six children were baptized in the Albany Dutch church where both parents were frequent baptism sponsors.

Staats Van Santvoort was a well-known gunsmith who worked from his first ward home and also held property along Lydius Street, in Schenectady, and in Watervliet. He repaired weapons for the Albany government, William Johnson, and other clients as well. He twice served as firemaster for the first ward.

He was called on to witness wills and post bonds. In July 1758, he received letters of administration on the estate of Robert Lottridge. In December 1763, he was named co-executor of a neighbor. During those years, he also was known as a slaveowner.

In April 1769, he was identified as a blacksmith of Halfmoon when he witnessed the will of an Albany trader.

In November 1778, he was exempted from military service due to his age.

By the 1780s, he had moved his base to Halfmoon. In 1790, his household with two women and three slaves was configured on the census for Watervliet. He probabaly died during the 1790s.

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Staats Van Santvoort is CAP biography number 6730. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.



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first posted 9/20/04; last updated 11/4/13