John Ostrander was born in February 1734. He was a younger son in the large family (as many as 15 births) of Albany residents Johannes and Elizabeth Vandenbergh Ostrander.

In June 1763, he married Rensselaerswyck resident Marritje Van Alstyne at the Albany Dutch church. By 1779, six of their children had been christened there.

These Ostranders were Albany mainstays with a house and lot on the hill in the second ward. In time, the homes of their sons would be located nearby. His modest holdings on Barracks or Chapel Street appeared on city assessment rolls throughout the remainder of the century.

In 1772, he was appointed city marshall and served for a number of years. He also was a constable in the second ward on a number of occasions. John Ostrander also served in an Albany company of the colonial militia.

In 1775, he shifted his civic activities under the Committee of Correspondence. He served as bell ringer, town sergaent, and marshall. Thus he was required to attend the daily meetings of the committee, keep rosters, and serve warrants on those who refused to serve or otherwise cooperate. In March 1776, he was commisssioned ensign in the Albany militia regiment and was replaced as marshall. He continued to serve as constable - indicating that he remained close to home.

John Ostrander died sometime after 1813 when his home was listed in the first city directory at 51 Chapel Street. After that, the Second Presbyterian church stood on the property.

Sources: The life of John Ostrander is CAP biography number 1478. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.