Gerardus Lansing

Gerardus Lansing was born in September 1723. He was the son of Johannes and Geertruy Schuyler Lansing.

His first wife was Maria Wendell - with whom he had at least two children. She died. In August 1778, Gerardus was almost fifty-five when he married widow Margarita Ten Broeck Richard at the Albany Dutch church. His second marriage appears to have been childless as no children were christened at the Albany church where he was a member and elder.

He was a merchant who lived on the high side of Pearl Street for many years. His comfortable home was attended by as many as five slaves. This Albany mainstay was a freeholder, belonged to an Albany militia company, and participated in many community-based activities.

In 1751, he served as a firemaster and later as assistant alderman. He was actively involved in Albany government activities. During the Revolutionary War, he served on the supply-side homefront and was called an Indian interpreter. After the war, he was accorded a land bounty right in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In March 1792, he witnessed the will of a Pearl Street neighbor.

In 1800, his household was childless but included his wife and three slaves. Gerardus Lansing died in March 1808 at the age of eighty-five. His will passed probate in May.

Sources: The life of Gerardus Lansing is CAP biography number 3323. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.