Daniel Mc Michael

Spelled and referred to variously (aka Mc Master), Albany resident Daniel Mc Michael was born during the first decades (probably during the 1720s) of the eighteenth century. We seek defining information on his origins and path to Albany.

In June 1748, he is said to have married Sara Marselis at the Dutch church in Schenectady. Their children mostly were christened at that church between 1749 and 1758. However, a son was baptized at the Albany Dutch church in June 1752. Some of them would become residents of Schenectady.

In April 1749, he ("Dan'l Mac Michael") was permitted to take over property previously held by Isaac Van Valkenburgh on a twenty year lease. For more than a decade following, the city records chronicle related transactions.

Daniel Mc Michael died during the 1760s. In September 1767, the name "Widow of Daniel McMichael" was included on a list of those who owed rent money to the city of Albany. Assessment rolls for those years also included her among those taxed.

In April 1770, city council minutes noted that Daniel was dead yet still indebted to Albany. However, his agreement for the house and land on the "Verrybergh" would be extended to his widow, "Sara MacMichal," for the next twenty-one years.

After that, Daniel Mc Michael was no longer referenced in the community-based record until the city assessment roll for 1799, valued the first ward house and lot of one Daniel Mc Michael, Jr.

Sources: The life of Daniel Mc Michael has no CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.