Thomas Harmanse Hun
by
Stefan Bielinski


According to family-based resources, Thomas Harmanse was born in 1668. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Harmen Thomase and the widow Catharina Bercx Bensing Hun. He was raised in the large combined family of early Albany mainliners. Skipper Dirck Bensing was his older step brother.

In 1681, his father is said to have conveyed 20 morgans of land on the "Murderers Creek" (east bank) to his children Thomas and Wyntie.

In November 1692, Thomas married Rensselaerswyck native Mayke Jans Oothout at the Albany Dutch church. By 1709, nine of their children were baptized in the church where he was a member and frequent baptism sponsor.

These Huns raised their family in Albany's third ward where Thomas Harmanse served as firemaster, assessor, surveyor, juror, and was elected assistant alderman in 1709. He was a prominent and successful Albany trader who also owned land beyond the city.

In 1699, he joined with his neighbors in swearing allegiance to the king of England. In 1715, he was listed on the roster of an Albany militia company.

Thomas Harmanse Hun died in November 1716 at the age of forty-eight. His widow survived for many years after!

PAGE IN PROGRESS


notes

the people of colonial AlbanySources: The life of Thomas Harmanse Hun is CAP biography number 4778. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 9/10/03; last revised 12/16/12