Cornelis Schermerhorn

by


Cornelis Schermerhorn probably was born about 1670. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Jacob Janse and Jannetje Segers Schermerhorn. He was the younger brother of Ryer Schermerhorn and grew up in both Albany and Schenectady homes. In 1688, he was identified as a minor in the will of his father.

In 1687, he was identified as an Albany area merchant on a document related to the fur trade. In 1684 and again in 1702, he was known as the "master" of a Hudson River sloop. By the late 1690s, Cornelis Jacobse had settled in Albany and lived in a house in the second ward where his household was configured on the census. In 1699, he joined with his neighbors in swearing allegiance to the king of England. His second ward home was taxed comparably to that of other Albany merchants.

He served the community as juror, firemaster, constable, and militia member. In 1720, he was a freeholder in the second ward and a contractor of the city government.

In March 1695, he had married Maria Hendricks Van Buren at the Albany Dutch church. By 1710, six children had been christened at the Albany church where he was a regular baptism sponsor. In February 1713, he married Margarita Alberts also in Albany. By 1720, that marriage had produced two additional children.

By 1720, Cornelis Schermerhorn had relocated to family property in the Kinderhook area. He died in February 1730.

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Cornelis Schermerhorn is CAP biography number 5455. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. An online version of the standard family history summarizes his life.




first posted 2/8/05; re-cast 10/25/13