Stephanus Van Schaick was born in February 1730. He was the son of Nicholas and Dorothea Witbeck Van Schaick. He was an older child in a first ward family whose development was curtailed by the death of his mother in 1740. Other same-named contemporaries complicate the assignment of qualitative information but this individual seems to be the only "Steven" who lived in the city of Albany.

In March 1753, Van Schaick married carpenter's daughter and Albany native Jannetje Bradt. By 1770, five children had been christened at the Albany Dutch church where both parents were members. As his father had died in 1750, Stephanus joined his father-in-law in the carpentry business.

These Van Schaicks set up their home in Albany's first ward where Stephanus practiced the carpenter's trade. Among his customers was the city of Albany. During the 1760s, he built the city hall wharf and was a regular contractor to the Albany corporation. His substantial first ward home was configured on several Albany assessment rolls. Census records show that his household included one slave. In 1788, his adult sons were living with him and he also owned an additional house in the first ward.

In 1763, his name was included on a list of Albany freeholders.

During the 1760s and at least thru 1773, he served in an Albany militia company. In 1775, he was paid by the Albany Committee for repairing the barracks and supplying firewood. In May, he was identified as a lieutenant in the first ward militia company.

In 1788, he owed a small sum to the estate of a former Court Street neighbor.

In 1800, his household consisted of two adolescent boys, the aging couple, and a slave.

Stephanus Van Schaick died in May 1802 at the age of seventy-two.

Sources: The life of Stephanus Van Schaick is CAP biography number 3981. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.