Helena Van Rensselaer Wendell

Helena Van Rensselaer was born in October 1702. She was the daughter of Albany leaders Hendrick and Catharina Van Brugh Van Rensselaer.

In December 1728, she married Albany native Jacob Wendell at he Albany Dutch church. By 1745, eight children had been christened in Albany.

These Wendells lived in the third ward where Jacob was a businessman and emerging civic leader.

Jacob Wendell died in September 1745 - several months after the birth of her last child. In her early forties, Helena then became head of their third ward household and was identified on subsequent assessment rolls as late as 1788. She lived near the homes of her children and grandchildren.

Widow Helena Van Rensselaer Wendell survived until January 1792. She had lived almost ninety years.

Sources: The life of Helena Van Rensselaer Wendell is CAP biography number 5081. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.