Barent Van Allen

Barent Van Allen was born in the Fall of 1738 and christened in the Albany Dutch church on October 1. He was the son of Albany mariner Pieter Van Allen and his second wife, Anna Van Benthuysen Van Allen.

His father died in 1749 when Barent was just eleven. Raised by his mother, he probably did not marry but resided in his family's first ward home with his brother and partner, John Van Allen. Barent was a lifelong member and pewholder of the Dutch church.

In 1764 and 1766 he was appointed firemaster for the first ward. His social network included membership in Albany militia companies and the Albany watch. In 1766, he opposed the Stamp Act when he signed a constitution for the Albany Sons of Liberty. Later, his sloop was utilized by the Revolutionaries. As a businessman and shipper, his activities came under the scrutiny of the Albany Committee during the 1770s. However, later, he was accorded a land bounty right for service.

Although his older brother was identifed as the head of their Albany household, Barent was named on a number of assessment rolls as the co-owner of their Albany properties.

In March 1794, he was named co-executor of the will of William Shepard.

Barent Van Allen died on October 1, 1799 at the age of sixty-three. In that year, a substantial home on upper State Street was listed on the assessment roll under the tenure of "heirs of John and Barent Van Allen."

Sources: The life of Barent Van Allen is CAP biography number 5605. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.