Gerrit J. Roseboom was born in February 1697. He was a younger child from the marriage of Albany natives Johannes and Gerritje Coster Roseboom. His father was a onetime frontier trader who, by the time Gerrit was born, had settled into a house in the second ward.

In 1727, he followed in his father's footsteps when he was elected assistant alderman for the second ward. He was re-elected in 1728. In 1733, he served as firemaster. His father lived until 1745. As a young adult, Gerrit may lived with his parents!

In November 1737, he was among those named in the will filed by his father.

Perhaps he did not marry as no children were baptized at the Albany Dutch church where he was a pewholder. However, he seems to have been an Albany mainstay during the middle quarters of the eighteenth century as his name appeared on a list of qualified voters (freeholders) in 1742. In 1756, he was identifed on the census as a merchant and householder. His second ward properties were listed on assessment rolls from the 1760s.

Gerrit J. Roseboom filed a will in October 1774. It noted that he died "about the 26th day of Oct. 1777." It listed his heirs - none of whom seem to be his direct descendants. The will passed probate in March 1788. The subsequent inventory described monies, book debts, and personal property.

Sources: The life of Gerrit J. Roseboom is CAP biography number 1610. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. He typically was known as Gerrit J., or Gerrit Joh., or as Gerrit Jr. to prevent confusion with an older uncle of the same name.