Lydia Van Valkenburgh Bloodgood

Lydia Van Valkenburgh was born in 1733. She was the daughter of Albany carpenter Jacobus and Margarita Radcliff Van Valkenburgh.

She grew up as one of five sisters all of whom would marry exceptional emigres. However, only a son was actually named in the will filed by her father in 1766.

In October 1759, Lydia married Long Island born newcomer James Bloodgood at the Albany Dutch church. Over the next two decades at least four of her children were baptized in Albany churches.

These Bloodgoods lived in the first ward and then in a substantial home on Market Street between the river and the Dutch church.

Lydia's husband died in 1799. In 1800, she was listed on the census as the head of her third ward household. She continued to control her husbands property which included three houses and lots and dock space in the third ward.

Seventy-seven-year-old Lydia Van Valkenburgh Bloodgood died in 1811 and was buried in the Presbyterian church cemetery. She was the mother of future Albany mayor, Francis Bloodgood.

Sources: The life of Lydia Van Valkenburgh Bloodgood is CAP biography number 1380. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.