Catharina Douw was born about 1660. She was the daughter of New Netherland pioneers Volkert Janse and Dorothe Breestede Douw. She grew up n Albany and also on her father's countryside holdings.

In April 1684, she married brewer-businessman Hendrick Janse Oothout. Although they lived for a time in New York City, by 1705 their eleven children had been baptized at the Albany Dutch church where both parents were members.

These Oothouts lived near the Albany waterfront in the first ward. Hendrick Janse also had a farm near the city where the family spent considerable time.

Catharina Douw Oothout was not mentioned in the will of her husband filed in October 1738. At that time, she would have been about seventy-eight-years-old!

Sources: The life of Catharina Douw Oothout is CAP biography number 2063. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.