Dirck Bensing

According to family records, Dirck Bensing was born in November 1649. He was the eldest son of Beverwyck pioneers Dirck and Catharina Bercx Bensing. His father died before his tenth birthday. His mother re-married and raised a second family.

In May 1663, he was named in the joint will filed by his mother and new husband. At that time, Dirck was aged thirteen.

Initially, he seems to have been a resident of Schenectady where his first two children were christened. His first wife was Tryntje. Their last three children were baptized in New York. In November 1707, he married Jannetje Van de Water.

This Dirck Bensing was called the master of the boat Unity in 1692. He was named on an Albany assessment roll in the third ward in 1689. In 1700, he was called on to appraise some Albany property. He also was a member of the Albany Dutch church.

In June 1717, his New York City estate was appraised. It included pictures and portraits, two slaves, and silver implements. It also included monies and debts owed him. By that time, this Dirck Bensing was dead.

Sources: The life of Dirck Bensing is CAP biography number 7320. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.