Isaac Van Arnhem was born in August 1745. He was the son of Albany-area residents Jan and Elizabeth Lansing Van Arnhem. He sometimes was known as "Isaac J. Van Arnhem."

In August 1768, he married Rensselaerswyck native Catharina Van Wie at the Albany Dutch church. At the time of his marriage, he was identified as of Heldebergh. By 1781, five children had been christened in Albany.

This Van Arnhem family lived in Albany's third ward where Isaac's property was assessed as early as 1766. In 1788, his property was of moderate value. By 1790, his family had become Market Street mainstays.

He probabaly derived his living in the commercial economy - although direct references to his business have not yet been found. On occasion, he was identified as a hatter. In 1759 and in 1763, he served as firemaster in the third ward. In 1767, he purchased a lot near Foxes Creek.

He probably was the Isaac Van Arnhem who was named fence viewer for the new settlement at Lansingburgh in 1771.

At the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, he was elected to represent the third ward on the Albany Committee of Correspondence and served throughout the life of the organization. In 1777, he was appointed chairman pro temp. He supported the American cause in a number of ways during the 1770s. After the war, he was an overseer of the poor and also an election inspector.

His modest third ward home was listed on the city assessment rolls for 1799 and in 1802. After that, the name of Isaac Van Arnhem passed from Albany rolls. He is said to have been a resident of Guilderland. The will of an "Isaac J. Van Arnhem" passed probate in albany County in March 1829.

Sources: The life of Isaac Van Arnhem is CAP biography number 6644. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.