Hon. Rutger Jansen Bleecker

Rutger Bleecker was a colonial era merchant and political figure who served as Mayor of Albany, New York from 1726 to 1729.

From Wikipedia:

Bleecker was born in Albany in on May 13, 1675. He was the second son of Dutch born mayor Jan Jansen Bleecker (1641–1732)[2] and Grietje "Margaret" Rutse van Schoenderwoert (1647–1733).[3][4][5] His siblings included Johannes Bleecker, Jr. (1668–1738)[6] Caajte Grietje Bleecker (1670–1734), who married Abraham Cuyler (1665–1747), a brother of Mayor Johannes Cuyler,[7] Jannetje Janse Bleecker (1673–1755), who married Johannes Jacobse Glen (1675–1706),[7] Margarita Bleecker (1680–1773), who married Hendrick Ten Eyck (1680–1772),[7] Hendrick Bleecker (1686–1767)[7] and Rachael Bleecker (1688–1766).[7][8]

His maternal grandparents were Rutger Jacobson van Schoenderwoert (1615–1665) and Tryntje Jansen (née Van Breestede) (1625–1711).

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Aug 6 2020, 14:52:54 UTC

----------------------------- He was mayor of Albany, New York, 1726-1728. The following information is from Jim Boulden's bleecker.doc in 2004. b. 13 May 1675 in Albany, NY, baptized 16 May 1675 in Albany, NY; Dutch Reformed Church, occupation Fur trader/Merchant. He married Catalina Schuyler, married 26 May 1712 in Albany, NY; Dutch Reformed Church, b. 14 Jan 1678 in Albany, NY, (daughter of David Pietersz Schuyler and Catalyna Verplanck) baptized 10 Oct 1686 in Albany, NY; Dutch Reformed Church, d. 24 Oct 1747 in Albany, NY, buried: 25 Oct 1747 in Albany, NY; Dutch Reformed Church. Rutger died 4 Aug 1756 in Albany, NY, buried: 5 Aug 1756 in Albany, NY; Dutch Reformed Church. The Bleecker family Bible record calls him "Ruthger" at his birth, which happened "...about 2 o'clock in the afternoon..." Rutger was a fur trader and it is said he amassed a fortune. Rutger shipped furs down the Hudson to New York City for export to Europe. Like his father, he was served as Albany's Recorder (1725) and then was the 15th mayor of Albany (1726-1729). He is also listed a Commissioner of Indian Affairs several times. He was also the "Judge" Rutger Bleecker who "pronounced laws from the bench of Common Pleas 1726-1733." That position is called one of the most important in Colonial Albany times as it was written that "The Mayor, Alderman and Recorder shall be judged and keeper of the Peace..." (Governor Thomas Dongan, 27 July 1686). Their marriage record reads 'with license, Rutgher Bleeker and Catalina Schuyler, wid. of Jan Abeel.' Rutger is listed as a freeholder living in the Third Ward for Albany's 1720 Census. His father and two of his brothers were all living in the Second Ward in that list. His will (NY County Court House, Liber 20 pp.228-230) was probated 27 September 1756 and proved 28 April 1757. (http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/wills/willrjbleecker227.html)

He wrote:

"In the name of God, Amen, January 16 1756. I, Rutger Bleecker, of Albany, "considering the frailty of my Body." I leave to my eldest son, Johanes R. Bleecker, £3, and also the Pictures of me and my wife, for his right of Primogeniture. I leave to my sons Johanes and Jacobus my wearing apparell. I leave to my two grand sons, Rutger, son of Johanes, and Rutger, son of Jacobus, each £15 worth of silver plate. I leave to my children, Johanes, Marytie, widow of Edward Collins, and Jacobus, all my personal estate, my son Johanes to retain first the sum of £125 in consideration of what my two other children have had at the time of their marriage. I leave to my two sons all my real estate of houses and lands, whether given to me by the will of my brother, Nicholas Bleecker, or otherwise, and they are to pay to my daughter Marytie £270. I make my sons and my brother, Hendrick Bleecker, executors. On further consideration, I give to my son Johanes my bedstead, bed, pillows, blankets, and curtains in my chamber."

notes Will dated January 16, 1756. Probated September 27, 1756. Witnesses Isaac Ver Planck, David Groesbeck, Jr., William Ver Planck. Proved in Albany, before John De Peyster Printed in Abstract of Wills volume 29, p. 164-5. Paragraphing and some punctuation supplied!

His death is in the Bible record as well: "Our worthy brother Rutger Bleecker departed this life age 81 years and full 2 months and was buried in our Low Dutch Church." Catalina: She was the youngest of eight children. Her name is spelled "Catlyntje' in her father's will, according to Schuyler researchers. It can also be spelled Catlyn. It was spelled 'Catelina' in her baptism record. Catilina was considered well-born and a socialite of Albany.