Jacob Staats
by
Stefan Bielinski


Jacob Staats was born about 1650. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Abraham and Tryntje Wessels Staats. His generation of American-born children firmly established the Staats family in colonial Albany and beyond!

As the eldest son of early Albany's most prominent physician, Jacob Staats became a surgeon as well. He probably took over his father's practice, served the Albany garrison, and treated patients at the behest of the Dutch church. Like his father, he owned a Hudson River sloop, but he too was primarily a surgeon - serving his neighbors, soldiers, and those sent to him by the church!

By 1679, he was identified as an Albany householder. He owned a number of other parcels within the city as well. This Albany mainstay, also served city government as assessor, assistant, and alderman for the first ward.

Jacob Staats married twice. His first wife was Ryckie. Their children were baptized in the Albany Dutch church where he was a member and one-time deacon. Following Ryckie's death in 1709, he married the widow Isabella Rachels Lydius. A marriage contract dated January 3, 1711, specified the terms of the union!

Jacob and Isabella lived together in their first ward home for the next two decades as Albany evolved from its frontier to regional center phase!

Jacob Staats filed a will in September 1734 calling himself a surgeon of Albany city and that he was "very sick." An extensive estate was divided among his heirs. He died in February 1735 and was buried from the Dutch church.

PAGE IN PROGRESS


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Jacob Staats is CAP biography number 4595. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

Ryckie: We seek defining information on his first wife!




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first posted: 2/10/03