Jeremiah Lansing was born in April 1754. He was the son of Peter and Elizabeth Wendell Lansing. He was raised in a merchant's house in the heart of Albany's downtown business district.

His entry into business was delayed by the outbreak of hostilities as he reached his twenty-first birthday. He was accorded a land bounty right for service in conjunction with the first regiment of the Albany County militia.

In 1779, he entered the public mainstream when he was appointed firemaster for the first ward. He later served as an election inspector. In 1793, he was elected alderman for the third ward. In 1798, he was elected to represent Albany in the New York State Assembly.

In October 1780, he married Helena Wendell at the Albany Dutch church where he was a lifelong member. By 1800, five children had meen christened there.

These Lansings lived for a time on Market Street. By 1800, they had relocated to a comfortable home at what later became 80 North Pearl Street.

Jeremiah Lansing died in October 1817 at the age of sixty-three. He was buried in the church plot of the Washington Park cemetery. Letters of administration were issued on his estate in November. His widow, Helena, lived until October 1829 at the 80 North Pearl Street address.

Sources: The life of Jeremiah Lansing is CAP biography number 3438. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.