Henry Yates

Henry Yates was born in September 1763. He was the son of Abraham J. and Jannetie Bradt Yates. He grew up a member of a mid-size family in a baker's home on Albany's Southside.

Although still an adolescent during the war years, he was accorded a land bounty right for wartime service in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In January 1786, he married Rachel Van Zandt at the Albany Dutch church. By 1803, the marriage had produced eight children.

Beginning with the census of 1790, this Yates family also lived in the first ward nearby the homes of both of their families. In 1788 and 1791, Henry served as a fireman. In 1794, Henry was noted in the will of his father. Census returns over the next two decades document the growth of his family in their home at 22 Green Street. First ward assessment rolls testify to the modest nature of his holdings.

Henry Yates was dead by 1813, when his widow's name began appearing the directories as the head of their Green Street household. He had lived for less than fifty years.

Sources: The life of Henry Yates is CAP biography number 4413. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. This Henry Yates was a working class character and should not be confused with a more famous, same-named contemporary from Schenectady - a prominent attorney and officeholder.