Margarita Bleecker Van Schaick

Margarita Bleecker was born in April 1776. She was the first child born to the marriage of Albany mainstays John N. and Margarita Van Deusen Bleecker. Margarita grew up in her parents' Pearl Street home but lost her mother in 1794. In 1800, mostly likely she was the only adult female counted in her father's household.

About that time, she had married Albany native John Van Schaick. Their daughter Elizabeth was christened at the Albany church in September 1800. A son was born three years later. John Van Schaick died in 1820 and was interred in Albany.

In 1821, the city directory listed widow Margaret Van Schaick at 47 North Pearl Street - perhaps the former residence of her father.

After that, Margaret is thought to have moved to be with family in New York City. Perhaps she lived there for the next fifty years.

Margarita Bleecker Van Schaick died in March 1872 at the age of ninety-five. She was buried from Trinity Church in New York City.

Sources: The life of Margarita Bleecker Van Schaick is CAP biography number 214. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.