Thomas Easterly

Thomas Easterly was born prior to 1756. We seek information on his background and on his arrival in Albany.

Because his name has not been found in the pre-war city records nor in those of the Albany committee, perhaps he did not arrive in Albany until after the campaign of 1777.

At the outbreak of hostilities, he enlisted in supported the American cause and was drafted out of the militia to serve as a soldier in the First and Second regiments of the New York Line. A same-named individual also was identified as a lieutenant assigned to a vessel on Lake George in 1777. In June 1780, his name was among the carpenters exempted from militia duty by Morgan Lewis to work on his Albany house. Afterwards, he was granted a land bounty right in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In December 1779, he married Watervliet native Bata Van Woert at the Albany Dutch church. By 1792, the marriage had produced at least seven children. He contributed to the church and was an occasional baptism sponsor. However, he does not seem to have been a church pewholder. Subsequent Albany Easterlys were Presbyterians.

In October 1779, his Albany property was accorded a moderate assessment. A decade later, his house and property in the second ward were valued modestly.

In 1788 and again in 1791, city records identified him as a fireman in the first ward.

In 1790, the census counted nine family members. A decade later, his household was enumerated under the third ward and described eight people.

In January 1799, he and his wife sold a lot located on Maiden Lane. In 1803, he was identified as a freeholder and a merchant. Thomas Easterly died sometime thereafter.

Sources: The life of Thomas Easterly is CAP biography number 7911. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.