Pieter Loockermans, Sr. may have been born in Belgium within a few years of 1620. He emigrated to New Netherland and witnessed baptisms in New Amsterdam as early as 1642. The latest firm refernce to him was when he was invited to the funeral of Jeremias Van Rensselaer in October 1674.

He had a houselot in Beverwyck and a garden near the fort as early as 1653. In 1658, he was identified as a "boatswain" in the employ of the Dutch West India Company and that he was from Turnhout in Antwerp. Two years later, his name appeared on a list of fur traders from the Beverwyck area petitioning for fewer restrictions in engaging Native fur traders.

He was the husband of Maria Donchesen and the father of several children. Sometimes he was referred to as Pieter Loockermans, Sr. - probably to prevent confusion with his son, Pieter Loockermans, Jr.

Over the next decades, he appeared before the Beverwyck and then Albany court. In 1671, he was identified as a tavernkeeper. He may have been the Pr. Lokermans who was identified as an Albany householder in a census taken in 1679. Or it may be his son and namesake.

Perhaps he was the brother or other relation of Albany resident Jacob Loockermans!

Pieter Loockermans, Sr. was dead by 1697 when his widow was identified as the head of an Albany household.

Sources: The life of Pieter Loockermans, Sr. is CAP biography number 5940. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.