Elizabeth Wyngaert David

by


Elizabeth Wyngaert was born in August 1726. She was the first child born to the marriage of Albany residents Johannes and Maria Huysen Wyngaert. She grew up a member of a large family in the first ward home of a middling cooper.

In January 1747, she married newcomer John David at the Albany Dutch church. By 1772, eleven children had been christened at the church where both parents were members and pewholders. However, in 1772, the "wife of Mr. Davies" was noted among the new communicants at St. Peter's Anglican church. Through the 1770s, Elizabeth David and her husband were occasional baptism sponsors at the Dutch church.

These Davids raised their large family in Albany's first ward where John operated a store and also sold liquors. In 1790, their modest Southside home included only four members.

John David died in June 1794 leaving sixty-eight-year-old Elizabeth a widow. By 1800, she had moved her home up the hill to Lion Street along the Schenctady road. At that time, her household also included six young people.

Her property on Lion Street was valued on the second ward assessment roll for 1802. Thus, she may have been the "Widow Davis" whose home at 126 Lion was listed in the first city directory in 1813. Elizabeth Wyngaert David was dead by August 1813 when her will passed probate.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Elizabeth Wyngaert David is CAP biography number 6205. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.





first posted: 8/20/09