Anthony Van Schaick was born about 1655. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Goosen Gerritse and his first wife, Geertje B. Van Schaick. His mother died shortly after his birth and his father soon remarried. In 1668, he was named in the will filed by his father and was said to have been thirteen years old.

About 1678, he married Maria Vanderpoel. By 1702, eight of their children were baptized in the Albany Dutch church where he was a church officer and occasional baptism sponsor.

Anthony Van Schaick built on the successes of his father and father-in-law. His name first appeared on the Albany householder assessment rolls in 1679. He was a businessman and developed the assets of extensive farmlands (including at least two fertile islands in the Hudson River). A few years later, he lived "outside the North gate." In 1697, his Albany house was on the south side of State Street. In 1699, he joined his neighbors in swearing allegiance to the King of England. In 1720, he was listed as a first ward freeholder.

He served the community first as an assessor and juror. In 1710, he was elected assistant alderman for the first ward. By that time, he was among the wealthiest Albany merchant-landowners.

Anthony Van Schaick filed a will in January of 1737. It stated that he was sick. Noted were his wife and four living children. The will listed his Albany property, a farm and orchard on Anthony's Island located nine or ten miles north of Albany, and also ownership of two other islands. He died shortly thereafter and was buried from the Albany Dutch church on February 2.

Sources: The life of Anthony Van Schaick is CAP biography number 3934. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.