Hendrick Van Ness

Hendrick Van Ness probably was born during the 1650s. He was the son of Cornelis Van Ness and his second wife, the widow Maria Damen. Hendrick grew up in the Albany area where his father's home was listed on the Rensselaerswyck census in 1697.

In October 1663, he married Anna Evertse at the Dutch church in Wiltwyck. By 1681, the marriage had produced at least eight children. In November 1688, he was a widower when he married Catharina Van Dam at the Albany Dutch church, where he was a member and occasional baptism sponsor. By 1694, his second marriage had added several more children.

Like his father, he lived in the Albany area but would not be part of the community mainstream. In 1689, he was identified as a farmer in Marte Gerritse's company. In 1697, his household including six children was configured on the Rensselaerswyck census. But in 1709, his second ward Albany house was accorded a moderate assessment.

Perhaps this Hendrick Van Ness was dead by 1720 as his name was not included on the list of freeholders in any of the jurisdictions in greater Albany County.

Sources: The life of Hendrick Van Ness is CAP biography number 911. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.