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Hendrick
Cuyler
Hendrick Cuyler was born in Hasselt, Holland in 1637. He was the son of Isbrant and Evertien Jans Cuyler.
By
1660, this New Netherland pioneer was in New Amsterdam
where he married American-born Anna Schepmoes. Their
large family established the Cuyler family in New
York and Albany.
A
few years later, his family moved upriver to Beverwyck
where he worked as a tailor and entered the fur trade.
Arriving after the initial trading boom, he enjoyed
the success that often rewarded hard working newcomers.
In
1664, he purchased a lot in Albany and later set
up his home on the south side of upper State Street.
Hendrick prospered in Albany and was able to obtain
Schenectady property, a patent in the Mohawk Valley,
and also build a new house in New York City. In 1676,
he purchased a small boat. In 1685, he was commissioned
a lieutenant in the Albany County militia. He was
named first ward alderman in 1686 and 1687. He also
served as assessor and justice. An all-around community
leader, he was a member and officer of the Albany
Dutch church.
He
may have moved back to Manhattan during the late
1680s where he became a supporter of the insurgant
Jacob Leisler.
Hendrick
Cuyler filed a will in March 1690. It provided for
his eight living children but left the entire estate
to his wife Anna during her widowhood. The will passed
probate later that Spring!
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Sources: The life of Hendrick Cuyler is CAP biography number
533. This profile is derived chiefly from family
and community-based resources.
By Stefan Bielinski, Colonial Albany Social History Project [http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany]
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