Joseph Yates,
Jr.
by
Joseph Yates, Jr. was
born in March 1695. He was the son of Albany residents Joseph
and Huybertie Marselis Yates.
He grew up in a blacksmith's home on the South
side of Albany.
In May 1719, he married a slightly older Hendrickie
Hooghkerk at the Albany Dutch church.
By 1736, eight children had been christened at the Albany church
where he was a member, pewholder, and occasional baptism sponsor.
He followed his father and older brother
in the smith's trade and was a first ward mainstay
for many years. He served his community as constable and firemaster,
served in the city company
of the militia, and was among
those listed as freeholders
on several during the
eighteenth century. He was a contractor of the city and owned Albany
property in addition to his house and shop. As late as 1767,
his holdings were accorded a moderate assessment. His life appears
to have been confined to Albany and should not be confused with
the more wide-ranging ambitions of his cousin, Joseph Yates of Schenectady.
Joseph Yates, Jr. lost his wife in January 1750. In 1752,
he witnessed the will of an Albany neighbor.
He was last noted in the community record in 1775 when "Joseph
Yates" was among the Albany residents who contributed supplies for
the relief of Ticonderoga. He would have been eighty-years-old at
that time!
notes
Sources: The life of Joseph
Yates, Jr. is CAP biography
number 4420. This sketch is
derived chiefly from family
and community-based resources. He was
known as "Joseph Yates, Jr."
first posted 11/15/05; last revised 7/25/13
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