Sara Wendell Van Loon

Sara Wendell was christened at the Albany Dutch church on September 2, 1776 to John J. and Alida Hooghkerk Wendell. She was the second daughter in a family whose development was curtailed by the death of John J. Wendell in 1786. Her older sister married Albany mainstay William M. Diamond. Sister Judith is said to have lived until 1860.

By November 1798, she had married Peter Van Loon when their first daughter was christened at the Dutch church. The marriage may have produced as many as nine children.

These Van Loons made their home on Albany's main street. Peter owned additional property in the city and appears to have relocated to Lydius Street by 1816.

In 1850, the Federal census identified Peter Van Loon as a resident of the third ward, aged 75. Living with him was Sarah, aged 74.

Peter Van Loon died in 1852. Sara Wendell Van Loon appears to have died that same year. Their children erected a monument at Albany Rural Cemetery to "our parents [both] aged 76 years."

Sources: The life of Sara Wendell Van Loon is CAP biography number 2717. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.