William Van Ingen

by


William Van Ingen was born in November 1760. He was the son of Dirck Van Ingen and his first wife, Margaret Van Sice Van Ingen. His father was a prominent physician who came from Rotterdam in Holland to settle in Schenectady and become a Revolutionary stalwart and public offficial. William was the older brother of Albany attorney James Van Ingen.

He was but fifteen at the outbreak of hostilities in 1775. However, he probably was "Mr. Van Ingen, a young gentleman who is my clerk," mentioned by Henry Glen in a letter dated Schenectady, October 26, 1781. Glen was William Van Ingen's future father-in-law and had both Albany and Schenectady residences. An earlier letter to Glen referred to him as "Billy Van Ingen."

During the 1770s, young had William attended Princeton but did not graduate. However, his interest in education came forward later as he was involved in the founding of Union College and the establishment of the Albany library.

By 1784, he had married Elizabeth Glen - eldest daughter of a Schenectady leader and sometime Albany resident. The marriage produced only one son. William was a member and pewholder at the Albany Dutch church.

In September 1781, he witnessed the will of a Schenectady neighbor.

This young Van Ingen family made its home in Albany's first ward where William was known as a skipper and businessman - sometimes in partnership with the Shipboys and the Caldwells. Assessment rolls show his Albany holdings to be of moderate value.

William Van Ingen filed a will in December 1799. It left everything to his wife and son. He died in January 1800 and was buried from the Albany church. His tombstone is part of a family plot in Schenectady. He had lived less than forty years.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of William Van Ingen is CAP biography number 1188. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 6/25/07; revised 11/15/11