According to traditional sources, Pieter Vosburgh was born about 1652. He was the son of New Netherland pioneers Abraham Pieters and Geertruy Coeymans Vosburgh. His father was killed tragically in 1659.
As a young man, he may have lived for a time with his widowed mother. In 1679, his mother's Albany household was taxed for stockade maintenance.
He seems to have been among the earliest inhabitants of Kinderhook. In 1681, and for several decades thereafter, he served as a justice of the peace there. His name is a prominent feature of many Albany County documents from those times.
Calling himself a resident of Kinderhook, Pieter Vosburgh is said to have filed a will in June 1690. However, no children were named. His younger brother, Isaac, is said to have lived with him and to have inherited some of his property.
In 1697, his household was configured within the boundaries of Rensselaerswyck.
In February 1715, he witnessed the will of Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck. In 1720, the name "Pieter Fausburgh" appeared on a Kinderhook freeholder list. After that, subsequent references would be to younger individuals of that name.
Sources: The life of Pieter Vosburgh has not been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.
first posted: 4/30/06; last revised 2/24/12