Ryer Elbertse
by
Stefan Bielinski


Ryer Elbertse was the patriarch of the Gerritse family of early Albany.

Tradition holds that he was from Breuckelen in Utrecht. In 1651, he leased a parcel of land on Foxes Creek near the corner of what became Columbia Street and North Broadway. In 1652, he was given permission to make bricks.

He was married to Maria Barents, the widow of Gerrit Van Schaick. Their descendants established the Gerritse family in the city of Albany.

In January 1657, he was held liable for his dog killing one of Jacob Janse Schermerhorn's goats. In February 1658, the Beverwyck magistrates ruled in his favor for payment of a debt.

In March 1664, Ryer Elbertse and his wife Maria appeared in court to cancel a bond they held with their sons. That was the last recorded mention of Ryer Elbertse.

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notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Ryer/Reyer Elbertse/Albertse Gerritse is CAP biography number 6010. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. See also VRBM, p. 842.




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first posted: 9/20/02