Johannes Pruyn
Stefan Bielinski

Johannes Pruyn was born in February 1667. He was the son of Albany residents Frans and Alida Pruyn. His father was a French-ancestry tailor who settled in New Netherland and established the family in Albany. The patriarch lived until 1712.

In September 1703, Johannes was approaching middle age whe he married a much younger Amelia Sanders at her mother's Albany house. By 1714, the marriage had produced three children who were baptized at the Albany Dutch church where he was a lifelong member and frequent baptism sponsor.

In 1699, he joined with his Albany neighbors in swearing allegiance to the king of England. He was an Albany property holder of some means who owned additional land near Foxes Creek. He served as juror, was elected assistant alderman for the third ward in 1710, and served as alderman for the third ward from 1718 to 1725. He belonged to an Albany militia company and his name was included on lists of Albany freeholders. In 1748, the will of his neighbor stated that Pruyn's house and lot were on the east side of James Street - three doors south of what became Steuben street.

Johannes Pruyn died in August 1749 and was buried from the Albany church.

biography in-progress


the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Johannes Pruyn is CAP biography number 3555. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.


first posted: 10/10/04