Catharina De Foreest Van Ness

Catharina De Foreest was born in November 1694. She was the daughter of Albany newcomers-turned-mainstays Philip and Tryntje Kip De Foreest. She grew up in a large family in a middling home on the hill in Albany. Her father later would relocate to Rensselaerswyck where he died in 1723.

In June 1709, Catharina married an older Gerrit Van Ness at the Albany Dutch church. By 1724, seven children had been christened at the Albany church where both parents were regular baptism sponsors.

For more than three decades, this Van Ness family lived modestly in the third ward.

Catharina De Foreest Van Ness was buried from the church in April 1743. She did not live to reach her forty-ninth birthday.

Sources: The life of Catharina De Foreest Van Ness is CAP biography number 4708. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.