Jan Byvanck

According to traditional sources, Jan Byvanck was born in Oldenzeel, Holland in 1634. By the 1650s, he had emigrated to New Netherland and was living in New York.

In October 1666, he married Bortje/Belitie, the daughter of Evert Duyckinck of New York City. By 1690, the marriage had produced a number of children. During the 1680s, he was a member of the Albany Dutch church.

After trading seasonally up the Hudson valley, by the 1670s, this Byvanck family had relocated to Albany where Jan continued to engage in business. He owned a house and lot on the hill and was included among the Albany householders in a census taken in 1679. He also owned additional acreage (including gadens) in and around Albany. In 1681, he was among the Albany people who petitioned the court regarding the fur trade.

Perhaps he returned to New York to live some time during the 1680s. Jan Byvanck was dead by August 1704 as noted in a will involving the family of his widow.

Sources: The life of Jan Byvanck is CAP biography number 7502. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.