Jacobus Van Valkenburgh was born in 1705. He was the son of Schenectady residents Isaac and Lydia Van Slyck Van Valkenburgh. He grew up at his father's tavern along the Kings Highway.

In November 1732, he married Albany native Margarita Radcliff in the Albany Dutch church where he became a frequent baptism sponsor. By 1748, the marriage had produced seven children including five daughters who married ambitious newcomers!.

Jacobus was a carpenter who lived near his wife's family in a modest first ward home. He served as a firemaster in 1738. Over the years, he received payments from the city government for various services.

Jacobus Van Valkenburgh filed a will in 1766. It named Margarita as executor. He was not alive when his widow wrote her will in 1778.

Sources: The life of Jacobus Van Valkenburgh is CAP biography number 1306. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. His father seems to be the only Schenectady resident in a largely Albany area family! The Olive Tree has presented a useful Internet summary. Provincial military records reference a number of Jacobus Van Valkenburghs - a name often encountered in greater Albany County!