Pieter Quackenbush

Pieter Quackenbush probably was born about 1680. He is believed to have been the son of New Netherland pioneers Pieter and Maria Quackenbush. He grew up in a large family in the homes of an Albany area brickmaker and landholder.

In November 1701, he married Schenectady native Neeltje Marens at the Albany Dutch church. At that time, he was a single man born and living in Albany. By 1716, the marriage had produced seven children who were christened in the church where both parents were frequent baptism sponsors.

In 1701, his name appeared on a petition signed by a number of loyal Protestant merchants of Albany County.

In 1702 and in 1709, his Albany property was valued on the second and then first ward city assessment rolls.

In 1715, he was identified as a private in an Albany militia company.

In 1717, the provincial treasury authorized payment in precious metal for his having carried freight from New York to Albany during the administration of Lord Cornbury.

By 1720, his name (Quackumbus) began to appear on a list of freeholders for Schenectady. In 1722, he is said to have settled (the first white inhabitant) on "Scott's Patent."

In 1733, he is said to have bought lands on the Mohawk River from Edward Collins. Perhaps, that tract was referenced in the will filed by Domine Petrus Van Driessen in January 1738 which stated that he had previously purchased tract of land located north of the Mohawk from Pieter and Neeltie Quackenbush.

In June 1735, he was paid thirty shillings from the Albany treasury for the loss he sustained from having stones for the city wall laid on his land.

According to church records, Pieter Quackenbush died in July 1748 and was buried from the church.

Sources: The life of Pieter Quackenbush is CAP biography number 2223. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

Other same-named contemporaries suggest caution in further developing this Pieter's biography. For example: Rensselaerswyck cooper in 1728 and others in New York City.