Dirck Ten Broeck (1686-1751) [Section 49 Lot 1]
21st Mayor of Albany appointed by George II of England, Inspector of Skins (furs), Deacon in the Dutch Church, Alderman, Indian Commissioner, City Recorder, Coroner.
Dirck Ten Broeck, born in 1686, was the eldest son of Albany businessman Wessel Ten Broeck and his wife, Catharina Loockermans. He grew up in his father's riverside home and at his grandfather's country estate located within Livingston Manor.
In 1714, he married Albany native Margarita Cuyler having twelve children over the next twenty-four years. All were baptized at the Albany Dutch church where both parents were members, frequent sponsors of baptism, and where Dirck served as a deacon.
Following a family formula for success, Dirck was known as an Indian trader. In 1715, he was named Albany’s "Inspector of Skins." During the 1720s, he held a provincial appointment as "farmer of the excise", otherwise known as the tax collector. He also served in the Albany militia.
In 1716, he was elected assistant alderman for the third ward on the city council. Six years later in 1722 he was elected alderman. In 1728, he was commissioned recorder of the city by the provincial governor. After serving many years as alderman, Indian commissioner, recorder, and member of the provincial Assembly, Dirck Ten Broeck was appointed the 21st Mayor of Albany in 1746, serving two terms.
Inheriting extensive real estate from his father, Dirck Ten Broeck expanded his holdings in Albany and beyond. In 1722, he sold a portion of his Pearl Street property to the Dutch church. During the three decades of peace, he was involved in the cutting and sawing of lumber on his wilderness property.
Calling himself an "Albany merchant," Dirck Ten Broeck filed a will in 1748. It devised his estate to Margarita during her life and then divided his substantial holdings among seven promising offspring. Dirck Ten Broeck died in January 1751 and was buried beneath the Dutch church. He had just passed his sixty-fourth birthday. His widow enjoyed the estate until her death in 1783!