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Debora
Van Dam Hansen
Debora Van Dam was born about 1670, the daughter of Albany carpenter Claes Ripse and Maria Bords Van Dam. Their family was small and she was left without siblings when her only brother was sent to New York for business training.
With
no sisters, the dowry of a carpenter's daughter was
larger than usual. Consequently, Debora was able
to marry well. In 1692, she wed upwardly mobile Hendrick
Hansen in the Albany Dutch Church where the couple
remained lifelong members. As the Van Dam family
passed from Albany rolls following the death of her
parents, Debora's life became more closely tied to
the more numerous Hansens. The couple settled into
the Hansen house on Market Street where they raised
seven children.
Hendrick
Hansen was a prominent trader, landholder, and public
official who was appointed mayor of Albany in 1698.
He later served several terms in the provincial assembly.
Official and personal business often took him to
New York leaving Debora to manage the Albany home
and their young children. Successful and prominent,
Hansen was able to shower extensive resources on
his family.
Debora's
husband died in 1724. Hansen's will left her the
use of his estate during her widowhood. She lived
on in Albany until her death in November 1742. She
was buried beneath the Dutch Church.
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Notes: The
life of Debora Van Dam Hansen is CAP biography number
6351. This profile is derived chiefly from community-based
resources.
By Stefan Bielinski, Colonial Albany Social History Project [http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany]
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