Cornelis Van Vechten
Cornelis Van Vechten was born in February 1735. He was the son of Harme and Elizabeth Van Vechten. His father was an Albany native who was more closely connected to Schaghticoke than to Albany. His childhood reflected his father's dual identities.
In December 1757, he married Albany native Anna Knickerbacker at the Schaghticoke Dutch church. At that time, he was called a resident of Schaghticoke. By 1773, the marriage had produced at least six children who were christened in Albany and elsewhere in Albany County. From the time of his marriage, he was a pewholder at the Albany church and an occasional baptism sponsor.
In 1761, he was appointed firemaster for the third ward. In 1766, he signed the constitution of the Albany Sons of Liberty. In 1767, his third ward Albany property was assessed at a significant rate. He also had a lot in the West Manor. During the 1760s, he witnessed a number of legal documents.
In October 1775, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Eleventh or Saratoga regiment of the Albany County militia. He is said to have served until 1781. Consequently, he was known as "Colonel Van Vechten." Some of his wartime exploits and information on his home have been chronicled by Benson Lossing. His family fell back to Albany when Van Vechten's "Coveville" home was burned by the British in 1777.
In 1779, his Saratoga property was valued on the tax list.
In 1789-90, he represented Albany County in the State Assembly. He was the clerk of town of Schaghticoke, 1794-96.
His household has not been found on the census in 1790 anywhere in NYS.
The will of Cornelis Van Vechten passed probate in November 1813. Perhaps, it belonged to a younger individual of the same name. His eldest daughter married newcomer Enoch Leonard and survived in Albany and Lansingburgh until 1859.
Sources:
The life of Cornelis Van Vechten is CAP biography number 2444. This sketch is derived chiefly from
family and community-based resources. Substantial information appears to exist relating to his life beyond
Albany. In addition, this profile undoubtedly does not include relevant Albany-based material in an attempt to avoid mistakes.