Catharina Van Kleeck was born in the Netherlands somewhere between 1637 and 1639. She was the daughter of Barent Baltus Van Kleeck who emigrated to New Netherland and settled in Flatbush. About 1660 she married Paulus Martense Van Benthuysen. The marriage produced at least six children. This Albany family lived in the first ward where they were prominent residents. In March 1682, she was accused but cleared of a charge of accepting stolen goods from two "negroes" who, at that time, were before the Albany court. In 1709 her name Cathalina V Benthuysen appeared on the first ward assessment roll. In December 1717, she was identified as the widow of Paulus Martense and was living in a house on the same street as her daughter, the widow of James Parker (Beaver and Green Streets). Catharina Van Kleeck Van Benthuysen died in March 1722 and was buried from the Albany church.

Sources: The life of Catharina Van Kleeck Van Benthuysen has not yet been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

website:

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/bios/vkl/cavkleeck.html