John F. Pruyn

by


John F. Pruyn was born in December 1739. He was the son of Albany residents Frans S. and Alida Van Iveren Pruyn. He grew up in Albany and was well-known as "John F. Pruyn."

In July 1769, he married thirty-two-year-old Geertie Ten Eyck at the Albany Dutch church. The marriage may have been childless as no christenings were recorded in the church records. However, he was a regular baptism sponsor.

These Pruyns lived on Pearl Street in the heart of the second ward residential district. He also owned at least one lot along Foxes Creek. John was a merchant and skipper who served the community as constable, chimney viewer, juror, militiaman, and firemaster. He also was a contractor of the city.

He first stood up for American rights in 1766 when he joined with his neighbors in signing a constitution for the Albany Sons of Liberty. Only in his thirties during th conflict, he was affiliated with the Albany militia and later received a land bounty right.

Without children, his modest home also housed six slaves in 1790. By 1800, he was beginning to set them free.

John F. Pruyn died in March 1815 at the age of seventy-five. His wife had passed eight years earlier. His will passed probate the day after his funeral.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of John F. Pruyn is CAP biography number 3558. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 12/10/05