Cornelia Cooper Hallenbeck

Cornelia Cooper was born in December 1748. She was the eldest daughter of Jacob and Josina Orchard Cooper. She mostly grew up in Albany's first ward near the homes of her future in-laws, the Hallenbecks.

In December 1766, Cornelia married Anthony Hallenbeck at the Albany Dutch church. By 1788, eleven children had been christened in the church where both parents were members.

Not surprisingly, these Hallenbecks raised their family in the first ward where they shared the Hallenbeck homestead with Anthony's mother and one of his brothers. In 1790, their South Pearl Street home housed ten people. A decade later, only Cornelia, Anthony, and two small children were counted there on the census.

Anthony Hallenbeck was dead by the beginning of 1809 when his will passed probate. After her husband's death, Neeltie's name no longer appeared on city rolls. Perhaps she was absorbed under the household of one of her many offspring who still were living on Hallenbeck property on the south side of Albany.

In February 1840, the Albany newspaper noted that Mrs. Cornelia Hallenbake" died, aged 92. She has been memorialized with the Hallenbecks in the Albany Rural Cemetery.

Sources: The life of Cornelia Cooper Hallenbeck is CAP biography number 470. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.