Maria Lansing Woodruff
by
Stefan Bielinski


Maria Lansing was born in December 1755. She was the daughter of Albany mainstays Jacob J. and Maria Egberts Lansing.

In May 1779, she married Dr. Hunloke Woodruff, a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. Sometimes known as "Polly," her wedding was characterized as "very private softly and [of an] unexpected manner." Before long, she was raising a family in Albany. By 1799, eight of their children had been baptized in Albany churches.

These Woodruffs were Pearl Street mainstays and their large home was attended by servants.

In November 1810, Mary Woodruff was named primary beneficiary in her husband's will "as long as she remains my widow." Consumed by tuberculosis, Hunloke Woodruff died the following summer. She was not listed among the Albany householders in the first city directory published in 1813.

biography in-progress



notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Maria Lansing Woodruff is CAP biography number 3576. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. We seek defining information on her passing!




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first posted: 12/30/03