Alida Van Iveren Pruyn

Alida Van Iveren was born in August 1704. Named for her maternal grandmother, she was the youngest daughter of Warner and Anna Pruyn Van Iveren (Carstense/Myndertse). She grew up in the comfortable Pearl Street home of a mainline Albany family. Her mother died in 1722 but her father would live two decades longer.

In July 1726, she married widower Frans S. Pruyn at the Albany Dutch church. By 1744, their marriage had produced eight children who were christened at the Albany church where the parents were regular baptism sponsors.

Over the next four decades, these Albany mainstays raised what may have been a large combined family in a metalworker/merchant's home located nearby those of both their families. Her husband held a number of service positions and was elected to the city council as well.

Frans S. Pruyn died in August 1767. Widow Alida Van Iveren Pruyn carried on in their Pearl Street home, which she shared with her adult son, Casparus. She died in April 1786. This Albany matriarch had lived for almost eighty-two years.

Sources: The life of Alida Van Iveren Pruyn is CAP biography number 2277. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.