Peter Briare

Based on diverse resources, future Albany resident Peter Briare was born in France about 1769. Family based sources tell us that his parents were Pierre Merlieux (1734-96) and Marie Genevieve Levasseur (1739-71)[Briare]. Those parents were residents of "Pondron, Oise, Picardie, France." We seek more precise information on origins and path to Albany.

In February 1809, he ("P. Bryere") married one Hannah Middleton (aka Hannah Jewell Williams) at St. Peter's Episcopal church. By 1821, the marriage had produced a number of children.

In July 1810, the Albany newspaper noted that "Pierre Briare, late Pastry Cook to one of the Princes of the Royal Family of Bourbons and to the Viceroy of Mexico," had established himself at No. 12 Green street."

Beginning in 1810, his household was configured on the Albany census. A decade later, the census listing showed that his family was still growing.

In 1813, the first city directory identified Peter "Bryard" was a "confectioner" living at 20 Green Street. In October 1815, he purchased a lot on the east side of Green Street bordering on the north side of Hamilton Street.

Peter Briare died in November 1828. His gravestone said he was fifty-nine and was a native of France. In 1829 and afterwards, the city directory listed the home of the "widow of Pierre Breare" as a confectioner at 20 Green Street.

Sources: The life of Peter Briare is CAP biography number 7467. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.