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Storm
Vanderzee
Family tradition holds that Storm Vanderzee was born on the ship that carried his family to America in 1636-37. He was the second son of Norwegian ancestry New Netherland pioneers Albert Andriese and Anna Van Rotmers Bradt.
Growing
up on the Normanskill, by the mid-1650s he was trading
lumber, furs, and tobacco in New Amsterdam - probably
on his father's behalf. In 1662, he obtained a lot
and then a house in Beverwyck. Thereafter, he settled
in Albany - forming a number of trading partnerships,
opening a tavern, and marrying Hilletie Lansing.
The marriage produced several children. By that time,
he had adopted the surname "Vanderzee" - the name used by his descendants.
Running
a tavern and other enterprises frequently brought
him before the Albany magistrates. In February 1679,
Storm and Hilletie filed a joint will. It stated
that he was sick but she was well. He was listed
on a census of householders made a month later. In
May, another legal document stated that Storm Vanderzee
had died at age forty-two. His two sons carried on
the family name in the city of Albany.
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Sources: The life of Storm Vanderzee is CAP biography 4184.
This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based
resources. It also relies on Peter R. Christoph,
A Norwegian Family
in America, which includes biographical
profiles of each of the Norwegians' children, 117-25.
Vanderzee's
court appearances are chronicled by Christoph, Norwegian
Family, 16-25.
By Stefan Bielinski, Colonial Albany Social History Project [http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany]
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