Marte Gerritse Van Bergen (also Martin Gerritsen) was born about 1630. He was the son of New Netherland pioneer Marte Gerritse. They seem to have been of Norwegian ancestry.

His first wife was Jannetje Teunisz. In January 1686, this widower married blacksmith's daughter Neeltje Mynderts at the Albany Dutch church. Over the next decade, five of their children were baptized there where he was a member and occasional baptism sponsor.

Trader and regional landholder, Marte Gerritse also was an Albany householder whose name appeared prominently on a number of city-based survey documents. He served for many years as an Albany magistrate and was called "Captain." He also leased a farm on Castle Island and employed a company of farmers. His primary residence, however, appeared to be at Catskill or Coxsackie!

Marte Gerritse Van Bergen filed a will in January 1696. It named his wife and two sons as the heirs of his farm, land at Catskill, and other personal property. Later that spring, he was killed by French Indians. According to his instructions, an inventory of his estate was made following his death. Marte Gerritse's will passed probate in December.

In June 1697, his widow and five children were identified as Rensselaerswyck householders. Neeltie re-married later that year, bore more children, and lived until 1758.

Sources: The life of Marte Gerritse Van Bergen is CAP biography number 6656. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. An interesting article on Marte Gerritse appears online.