Cornelia De Foreest Pruyn

by


Cornelia De Foreest was born in August 1755. She was the first daughter born to Albany mainstays Isaac and Alida Fonda De Foreest. She also was known as "Neeltie" and "Eleanor." She grew up and spent most of her life in the third ward home of her tailor/river pilot father.

In March 1786, she was thirty-one when she married skipper Jacob J. Pruyn at the Albany Dutch church. By 1796, five children had been christened at the church.

We believe this Pruyn family lived near the Albany waterfront. In 1788, they still were living in the third ward household of her father.

During the early 1800s, Cornelia De Foreest Pruyn freed a number of their slaves.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Cornelia De Foreest Pruyn is CAP biography number 4721. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 8/30/06