Bernardus Hallenbeck

Bernardus Hallenbeck was born in April 1744. He was a younger son of Hendrick and Susanna Bradt Hallenbeck. He grew up in a very large family on his father's property that stretched across the Southside of Albany. In 1764, he was named to share in his father's substantial estate.

In March 1766, he married Albany native Cornelia (Neeltie) Clark at the Albany Dutch church. By the mid-1780s, eight children had been christened in Albany.

At that time, he took his place in the Albany community. Early in 1766, he joined his neighbors in signing the constitution of the Albany Sons of Liberty. His first ward property was valued on city assessment rolls. In May 1767, his name appeared on the roster of an Albany militia company.

In his thirties during the War for Independence, we seek information on his activities beyond occasionally serving as a courier for the Albany committee. Afterwards, he was accorded a land bounty right for service in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In 1788, his first ward holdings were accorded a modest assessment. In 1790, his houshold included just four people.

Sources: The life of Bernardus Hallenbeck is CAP biography number 5249. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.