Jacobus Fonda

by


Jacobus Fonda was born in December 1746. He was the son of Albany tailor Abraham I. and Maria Van Schoonhoven Fonda. Named for his maternal grandfather, he also would be known as "James Fonda."

As a young adult, he continued to reside in his father's third ward home. He probably was the "& son" considered under Abraham's assessment during the mid-1760s. In 1769, "Jacob" was named constable for the third ward. Later, he was appointed high constable.

Almost thirty at the outbreak of hostilities, we expect to be able to connect him to wartime activities. Afterwards, he was accorded a land bounty right in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In March 1779, his personal property was assessed under his father's household. In October, his Albany property was valued separately on the assessment roll.

In August 1783, he married Albany native Willempie Bogert at the Albany Dutch church. By 1798, the couple had christened ten children in Albany. Initially, these Fondas lived in the house of Willempie's widowed mother.

After the war, Jacobus/James resumed his association with the city government as a fireman, contractor, and, beginning in 1794, was appointed city watchman.

Jacobus Fonda was a blacksmith who lived in the second and then third ward. In 1790, his household had five members. By 1800, six children under ten joined James, his wife, and another girl in their third ward home.

"James Fonday" was buried from his church in October 1807. His widow lived on in their Market Street home.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Jacobus Fonda is CAP biography number 3787. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 5/30/12; last updated 11/6/12