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Abraham
Cuyler
Abraham Cuyler was born about 1663. He was the second son in the large family of Albany newcomers Hendrick and Anna Schepmoes Cuyler.
In
1689, he married Albany native Catharina Bleecker.
Over the next two decades, most of their eight children
were baptized in the Albany Dutch church where both
parents were members, frequent baptism sponsors,
and where Abraham was a church officer.
After
briefly residing in the first ward, these Cuylers
set up their permanent home on Pearl Street - near
both of their families. In time, Abraham expanded
his Albany real estate holdings and acquired lands
beyond the stockade as well.
Abraham
Cuyler prospered in the fur trade and was elected
to the city council - first, in 1692, as an assistant
and then as alderman for the second ward. Active
in civic affairs for several decades, he headed committees
on finances and real estate. His home was a Pearl
Street landmark.
Abraham
Cuyler lost his wife in April 1734. He filed a will
in May 1742. It left extensive real property holdings
in Albany , Schenectady, and beyond to his six surviving
children. He died in July 1747.
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Sources: The life of Abraham Cuyler is CAP biography number
358. This profile is derived chiefly from family
and community-based resources.
Landmark: In 1713, the city bellman was instructed to ring the bell near
Abraham Cuyler's house!
By Stefan Bielinski, Colonial Albany Social History Project [http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany]
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