Barbara Bradt was born in May 1731. She was the daughter of Barent and Elizabeth Marselis Bradt.

Days from her twenty-second birthday, in May 1753 she became the wife of Albany businessman Harmanus J. Wendell. By 1776, the marriage had produced nine children all of whom were christened at the Albany Dutch church.

These Wendells made their home in the third ward where Harmanus was a prominent businessman and local official. Harmanus Wendell died in June 1786. Aided by as many as five slaves, the fifty-five-year-old widow took over management of their property which included her residence on Market Street and other houses on Maiden Lane and Fox Street. These were valued on Albany assessment rolls as late as 1809..

Barbara Bradt Wendell died in April 1812 at age eighty-one.

Sources: The life of Barbara Bradt Wendell is CAP biography number 4211. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.