Maria Van Vechten Leonard

by


Maria Van Vechten was born in December 1765. She was the eldest daughter of Cornelis and Anna Knickerbacker Van Vechten. Her father was a regionally prominent leader and landholder with residences in Schaghticoke and Albany.

Perhaps Maria met her future husband as both he and her father served in the Revolutionary army. In September 1783, she married newcomer Enoch Leonard at the Schaghticoke Dutch church. By 1803, the marriage had produced at least six children.

With the end of the war, these Leonards settled in Albany and raised their family along Market Street in the third ward.

Maria Van Vechten Leonard lost her husband in 1810. Left to raise her still young children, the "Widow Maria Leonard" carried on for many years in her house at 104 North Market Street.

In the Spring of 1859, the Albany newspapers reported that "Mrs. Maria Leonard, widow of the late Enoch Leonard, and eldest daughter of Col. Cornelius Van Vechten of Albany, died at Landsingburgh, in the 94th year of her age."


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Maria Van Vechten Leonard is CAP biography number 2556. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.





first posted: 1/20/09