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Claes
Ripse Van Dam
Claes Ripse was a carpenter, contractor, and trader in Beverwyck and then Albany. He was the father of Council member and acting provincial governor Rip Van Dam.
In
1653, his name began to appear on the dockets of
the Beverwyck/Albany courts. In that year, he was
sued for defaulting on the rent for a house on Manhattan.
After that, he was a frequent litigant in Albany
where much of his involvment related to carpentry
work. He also appeared before the Albany court as
an attorney, juror, and arbitrator.
He
was married to Maria Bords. The marriage produced
several children who lived to adulthood. He was a
member of the Albany Dutch church and active in its
operations.
By
1676, he had established a permanent residence on
what became Chapel Street. He also owned a lot on
Pearl Street. His name appeared on the Albany census
of 1679. In 1681, he was identified as a "burgher."
He
was elected alderman for the second ward beginning
in 1689. In 1693, he was identified as a justice
of the peace for Albany County.
In
1697, he and Maria were living alone in their second
ward home. He signed the loyalty oath of 1699. During
the next decade, his second ward property was assessed
at the highest rate. Claes Ripse died after 1709
and the Van Dam name passed from Albany rolls!
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Sources: The life of Claes Ripse is CAP biography
number 6352. 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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