Jacob J. Roseboom

by


Jacob J. Roseboom was born in November 1740. He was the only child born to the marriage of Albany natives Johannes Jac. Roseboom and Machtel Ryckman Roseboom. His father probably died before the boy reached adolescence as his mother was raising Jacob in her father's first ward Albany house that was left to Machtel in 1768.

In January 1763, he married Albany native Hester Lansing at the Albany Dutch church. Seven months later, the first of their ten children was christened in the Albany church where both parents were members, pewholders, and baptism sponsors.

In 1766, Jacob already had entered public life when he signed the constitution of the Albany Sons of Liberty. From then on, he took his place on the Albany mainline. He belonged to a city militia company, paid modest taxes on his first ward property, and held a number of public positions in his ward beginning with that of firemaster in 1763. In September 1769, he first was elected assistant alderman for the first ward. Re-elected each year, he served until 1775 when the municipal government gave way to the Committee of Correspondence.

At the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, he began to contribute support for the Revolutionary cause. He was a captain in the first regiment of the Albany County militia. He seems to have held that post at least until 1781 when his company was on duty in Albany. In 1776, he was elected to the Committee of Correspondence - representing the first ward. He was an active member for the next year. In September 1780, he was called a "gentleman" of the city of Albany when he posted someone else's bond.

After the war, his residence was in the third ward where he was known as a merchant. In April 1788, he signed a petition taking issue with the proposed constituion and published by an Albany antifederal committee. That year, his house and lot received a modest assessment. During the 1780s and 90s, he bought and sold parcels of land in Albany.

Jacob J. Roseboom died in April 1797 and was buried from his church. His will passed probate in January 1808. His widow took up residence on Hudson Street and lived until 1826.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Jacob J. Roseboom is CAP biography number 1667. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 12/30/07; updated 3/15/09