Johannes J. Beekman
by
Stefan Bielinski


Johannes J. Beekman was born in 1701. He was the son of Johannes Martense and his second wife, Eva Vinhagen Beekman. He grew up in Albany's second ward where his father was a prominent blacksmith, businessman, and landholder.

In July 1729, he married trader's daughter Sara Cuyler at the Albany Dutch church where he was a frequent baptism sponsor. By 1744, six children of the marriage had been christened in Albany. Sara Cuyler Beekman died in 1746. Left with a young family, Johannes soon re-married. His second wife was Debora Van Schaick. Their son was born in 1749.

These Beekmans also lived in the second ward where he was known as a trader and skipper/shipper. After serving as constable and assistant alderman for fifteen years, in September 1759, he was elected alderman for the second ward. Johannes held that office until his death. The home he built on Pearl Street about 1725 became an outstanding Albany landmark.

Stating that he was "sick," Johannes J. Beekman filed a will in May of 1756. Because he was re-elected to the city council in September 1757, perhaps he was not (although stranger recordings have been encountered in the community record) the "Johannes Beekman" buried in the church cemetery on October 26, 1756. He was more certainly deceased by October 1759 when his will passed probate.

biography in-progress



notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Johannes J. Beekman is CAP biography number 3861. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 3/15/05