Johannes Vanderheyden

Johannes Vanderheyden was born in March 1707. He was the last child born to the marriage of Albany mainstays Dirck and Rachel Ketelhuyn Vanderheyden. He grew up in a large family in businessman's home in the first ward. About 1720, he went with his family to live on a farm at Schaghticoke.

In January 1724, he married Rachel Vanderheyden at the Albany Dutch church. By 1748, that marriage had produced nine children who were christened at the Albany church where both parents were regular baptism sponsors. However, Rachel died a few years later. In August 1758, Johannes may have re-married. His second wife would have been Mary Butler. That wedding took place at the Dutch church in Schenectady and identified the groom as an "advocatt van Albany."

In 1749, he was licensed to practice law in New York. This Johannes Vanderheyden was an attorney who practiced in Albany for more than twenty years, Except for a time during the early 1730s, he lived in the first ward and was qualified to vote.

He served the community in a number of offices and was elected alderman in 1737.

Johannes filed a will in March 1771. It named four children as his heirs. According to the family bible, Johannes Vanderheyden died on July 24, 1771.

Sources: The life of Johannes Vanderheyden is CAP biography number 5697. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.