Philip De Foreest probably was born in New Amsterdam in 1652. He was the son of Isaac and Sara Truax De Foreest.

In January 1676, he married Tryntje Kip in New York City. By 1703, nine of their children had been baptized in New York and Albany Dutch churches. After a time in New York, the new couple relocated to Albany.

In 1680, he purchased a house and lot on the hill in Albany from Nicholas De Meyer. That property would have been above (west of) Pearl Street. In 1688, he was appointed constable in the first ward. The next year, he was appointed high constable. He also served as a juror and street sweeper.

In 1697, his Albany home was enumerated on the city census. Two years later, he signed an oath of allegiance to the King of England. Assessment rolls for the early 1700s showed his first ward property to be of moderate value. He also was identified as a cooper.

In 1720, his name appeared among the freeholders of Rensselaerswyck. But that same year, his Albany house was referenced in the will of a neighbor. Philip De Foreest died in July 1723 at age seventy. His widow survived until 1731.

Sources: The life of Philip De Foreest is CAP biography number 4706. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.