Maria Van Allen Van Benthuysen

Maria Van Allen was was born in February 1703. She was the daughter of Albany natives Johannes and Christina Ten Broeck Van Allen. She grew up in a businessman's home in the first ward.

In July 1729, she married Gerrit Van Benthuysen at the Albany Dutch church. By early 1738, five children had been christened in Albany.

This Van Benthuysen family set up their home in the first ward where Gerrit was a prominent businessman and member of the city council.

Their marriage ended abruptly when Maria Van Allen Van Benthuysen died just before her thirty-fifth birthday in January 1738. Her newborn daughter had been christened a few days earlier. Eleven months later, her husband re-married. Gerrit Van Benthuysen then re-located to Dutchess County and lived several decades longer.

Sources: The life of Maria Van Allen Van Benthuysen is CAP biography number 5627. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.