Barent Sanders was born in May 1678. He was the son of Scottish-ancestry entrepreneur Robert Sanders and his European-born wife, Elizabeth Barents Van Kleeck. These pioneers had settled in Albany where young Barent joined his father in the fur trade and in developing Robert's growing real estate holdings.

Barent was past his twenty-sixth birthday when he married young Maria Wendell in September 1704. Their small family of three children was baptized in the Albany Dutch church where both parents were members and frequent baptism sponsors.

Unlike his multi-dimensional father, Barent Sanders seems to have spent most of his adult life in Albany. From a home on Pearl Street, he established an identity as a merchant and landholder while serving the community in the militia, and as constable, firemaster, assistant, and alderman for the second ward. During the 1720s, he was active as an Indian commissioner. Sanders also collected fees from survey and contract work. Left substantial real estate, he was able to manage additional family property in Albany, Schenectady, and in Dutchess County - and to add to those holdings as well.

Following the death of his wife, this well-known Albany merchant filed a will in November 1739. He deposed that he was of perfect sound mind" and left extensive real estate to his sons. Barent Sanders died in Albany in November 1757. He lived to see his son, Robert Sanders, appointed mayor of Albany.

first posted 01/30/02; updated 8/19/13