Teunis Van Vechten

Teunis Van Vechten was born in November 1785. He was the son of Teunis T. and Elizabeth De Wandelaer Van Vechten. He grew up in a prominent merchant's home on Market Street.

He graduated from Union College, studied for the law with chancellor John Lansing, Jr. and his uncle, Abraham Van Vechten, and was admitted to practice in June 1807. He joined his uncle and later succeeded to his practice. His efforts on behalf of the Rensselaerswyck patroonship were particularly notable.

In December 1810. Teunis married Catherine Gansevoort at the Albany Dutch church. By 1830, the marriage had produced ten children.

His Albany home was on Montgomery Street and his law office was located nearby at 18 Maiden Lane. He was a prominent attorney whose practice frequently involved the city government. He was a trustee and director of many Albany organizations, and an elected official (alderman for the third ward) and mayor of Albany (four terms beginning in 1837).

Teunis Van Vechten lost his wife in 1831. He lived much longer and died in February 1859 at the age of seventy-three. His will passed probate in March and named his four living children as heirs.

Sources: The life of Teunis Van Vechten is CAP biography number 2572. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. The most substantial online biography of him is printed in HMGFM.