Lydia Van Dyck Van Schaack
by
Stefan Bielinski


Lydia Van Dyck was born in 1704. She was the last child born in the family of Albany physician Hendrick Van Dyck and his wife, Maria Schuyler. Her father drowned in 1707. After a decade more of living in Albany, her mother moved their family to Kinderhook.

Lydia married Kinderhook trader and property holder Cornelis Van Schaack in 1728. These Van Schaacks resided at Kinderhook in a substantial homestead attended by many servants. Important personages including Sir William Johnson were guests at their home. Lydia had seven children. Her son, Henry, became the Albany postmaster. Her daughter, Jane, married Peter Silvester.

Lydia lost her husband in 1776. Her sons were not supporters of the crusade for American liberties - making the war years even more difficult for the septuagenarian widow. Lydia Van Dyck Van Schaack died in Kinderhook in 1785.

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notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Lydia Van Dyck Van Schaack is CAP biography number 835. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




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first posted: 9/15/02