William Waldron
by
Stefan Bielinski


William Waldron was born in 1700. He was the son of Manhattan mason Pieter Waldron, and his wife, Catharina Vandenbergh. Shorly after his birth, these Waldrons relocated to Albany.

William grew up in Albany learning the mason's trade from his father. In January 1720, he married Elizabeth Beekman at the Albany Dutch church. Their first child was born six months later. Ten more births were recorded in the Dutch church baptism records between 1721 and 1741.

Setting up his home in the first ward, for more than three decades he was a prominent Albany artisan. Several times, he performed masonry work for the city corporation. He served as a firemaster in 1722 and 1728 and was elected assistant alderman for the first ward in 1738 and 1739. Like his father, he probably engaged in business - thus accounting for his selection as an assistant because that post usually was reserved for merchants.

During the 1730s, he leased additional land on the plain from the city. Three decades later, he still was adding to those holdings. Over that time, his name was found on lists of Albany freeholders.

William Waldron made out his will in March 1768. He identified himself as an Albany "measoner" [mason]. Just shy of his sixty-eighth birthday, he stated that he was in good health. His wife was dead but William provided for his son Pieter and daughters Cornelia Clark, Neeltie Vandenbergh, and Anna Waldron. The will passed probate in October 1774.

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notes

the people of colonial Albany The life of name is CAP biography number 678. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

The Plain: Probably referring to vacant lots owned by the city above South Pearl Street and/or south of the city stockade. The last of Waldron's transactions transpired in 1769. In 1776, his "Albany real estate" was advertized for sale!



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first posted: 12/31/01