New York State Library
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Barent Bleecker
Papers, 1784-1842

SC20601

Quantity: 1 box (0.25 cubic ft.)
Access: Open to research
Acquisition: Purchase, Harold Nestler, October 1992
Processed By: Regina Berry, Student Assistant, State University of New York at Albany, May 2016

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Biographical Note:

Barent Bleecker was born in June 1760, the younger son (the fourth named "Barent") of John R. and Elizabeth Staats Bleecker. He came of age during the era of the American Revolution and after the war he was accorded a land bounty right for service in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

In December 1787, Barent married Sara Lansing at the Albany Dutch Church. Their only child was born in 1793 and died in 1797.

He soon became a prominent businessman and community leader who made his home on North Market Street. He also owned a store on the river front, stables, storehouses, houses, and lots in a number of locations around the city.

In September 1787, Barent was named co-executor of the estate of his older brother, Rutger Bleecker, who had died at the age of 42. In March 1792, he was identified as one of the heirs to the extensive estate of his father. At the same time, he owned extensive real estate in New York. The town of Bleecker in Fulton County, which grew from a tract he purchased in 1793, was named for him. He also was a land agent for a number of owners.

Barent Bleecker died in 1841, ten years after the death of his wife.  They are buried in Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York.

Sources: 1) Bielinski, S. (2008, March 8). The People of Colonial Albany Live Here: Barent Bleecker.   2) Marte. 2010, June 12. Find A Grave: Barent Bleecker.

Scope and Content Note:

This small collection of Barent Bleecker's papers is entirely related to his purchase and sale of lands belonging to the Glen, Bleecker and Lansing Patent, the Sacandaga Patent, the Chase Patent, the Schoharie Patent and the Saratoga Patent.  His dealings often include his father, John R., his brother, James, and other indirectly related relatives.  The bulk of the activity occurs in the 1830s, but there is a 1784 lease of Albany property from the Van Cortland family, with John R. Bleecker serving as attorney and Barent Bleecker as witness.

Related Collections:

The New York State Library has several other small collections pertaining to this family.  The Rutger Bleecker Papers (SC11846) contains the personal records of the eldest son of John R. Bleecker and older brother of Barent.  The Bleecker Family Papers (SC20557) includes more land records of John R., James and Barent Bleecker for properties in Albany, Saratoga, Schoharie and Plattsburgh.  The Bleecker Lyon Collection (SC18047) has land papers of the Bleecker, Truax and Lansing families, collected by a later descendant.

The John N. Bleecker Papers (SC10431) is a larger collection documenting the activities of this second cousin to Rutger, James and Barent, and is also at the New York State Library.

Box and Folder List:


Box Folder Description
1 1 Land titles: Glen, Bleecker and Lansing Patent, Montgomery County, 1803-1836 (6 items)
1 2 Land titles: Glen, Bleecker and Lansing Patent, 1828-1833 (5 items)
1 3 Land titles: Chase Patent, Sacandaga Patent and Schoharie Creek, 1828-1839
(4 items)
1 4 Land titles and survey: Saratoga Patent (Stillwater and Edinburgh), 1821-1832 (3 items)
1 5 Land titles: Utica and Whitestown, N.Y., 1800-1823 (3 items)
1 6 Letters, certificates, memoranda and receipts, 1784-1828 (9 items)
1 7 Letters, certificates, memoranda and receipts, 1830-1837 (25 items)
1 8 Letters, certificates, memoranda and receipts, 1842, n.d. (6 items)
Last Updated: February 14, 2022