Wynant Melgert Vanderpool

Source: Dan McCorkendale mccorkendale@juno.com

Melgert Wynantse Van Derpoel, born December 02, 1646 worked as a young man in his father's sawmill in Albany, New York. He became a gunstocker, by trade. He was also "an assistant" under the first charter of the City of Albany, given by Governor Gongan, July 22, 1686 and he also was a member of the Governor's Council.

An account from the Vanderpool Newsletter states he eventually bought his own sawmill on Bever Creek. Another account, states that his father, Wynant Gerritse sold his sawmill at "Wynants Kill" and gave half interest to Melgert ( perhaps for wages earned working, there). The other half of the mill was sold to Abraham Isaacks. This was the father-in-law of Melgert Wynantse, Abram Isaack Ver Plank. Melgert perhaps bought the other half, at a later date.

An account states that on March 31, 1679, Melgert Wynantse bought a house from his father, "free of any encumberance due to wages earned working for his father". This house was purchased before his marriage and like his fathers, fronted the Fort on the south side of State Street. Also like his father, he made numerous other, real estate investments, purchasing several lots in the then growing city of Albany, New York. When Wynant first took up residence there, Albany was but a trading post called Fort Orange.

Melgert was reportedly a leader in the Dutch Reformed Church in Albany. In 1693, he received a deed from the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church conveying rights to a water run and saw mill, two acres and assuring to him rights against a mill above him.

In his father's will, "proved" April 17, 1702 he left Melgert only six shilings, perhaps due to his previously haven given him the half interest in the sawmill. Wynant Gerritse left the remaining estate to the husband of daughter, Catryn Van Den Burgh. (See notes on Wynant Gerritse).

Title: The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany, Volume 41 Yearbook 1966-1968

Page: page 10

Text: "Wynant Van Derpoel born Albany, N.Y. 1681, baptized Oct. 13, 1683 at the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, Albany, N.Y..."

Title: Myra Vanderpool Gormley Database, Certified Genealogist

Title: The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany, Volume 41 Yearbook 1966-1968

Page: page 10

Text: "Wynant moved to Newark, N.J. about 1735, and died in that city April 4, 1750, and was buried in the old Newark churchyard."

Title: The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany, Volume 41 Yearbook 1966-1968

Page: page 10

Text: "...married at the parsonage Auguest 17, 1706" (Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, Albany, N.Y.)

Title: The Dutch Settlers Society of Albany, Volume 41 Yearbook 1966-1968

Page: page 10 (Marriage Licence: 16 Aug 1706)

Lived for some years at Albany, NY, later moved to Newark, NJ. In the Annual Report of the N.Y. State Historian, p485, Wynant Vanderpoel is mentioned in the list of en who in 104 signed for active service on board the "Captain Clavers," on expedition against a French privateer off the coast. Qualifies for member of Society of Colonial Wars.

Wynant Vanderpool was born at Albany in 1681, baptized October 14, 1683, married Katherina, daughter of Johannes De Hoogan (or Hooges) of Ulster County New York August 17, 1706. Was freeholder of the first ward of the city of Albany in 1720 his brother Melgert was at the same time a freeholder in Kinderhook. The population of Albany was down about 3000. Wynette moved to New York about 1735 and died in that city April 4, 1750 and was buried in the old Newark church yard.