Helena (Louw) Linn (1760 - 1846)

Born 23 Oct 1760 in Bergen, New Jersey

Ancestors

Wife of Dirck Hansen — married 4 Jul 1781 in Dutch Reformed Church, Albany, New York

Wife of William Linn — married 27 May 1800 in Dutch Reformed Church of Schodack at Muitzeskill, Schodack, Rensselaer, NY

Descendants

Died 1846 at about age 85 in Ithaca, Tompkins, New York

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Alison Andrus [send private message]

Biography

Helena was baptized on Oct. 23, 1760 at the Reformed Dutch Church, New York City, NY to Nicholas Louw and Sara Louw.^[1]

On July 18, 1781, she married Albany native Dirck Hansen at the Albany Dutch church.^{[2] [3]}By 1796, the marriage had produced at least five children.

Proof that the Helena Louw who married Dirck Hansen was the daughter of Nicholas Louw was provided in Helena's application for a widow's pension in a statement provided by Killian Van Rensselaer.^[4]

After her husband's retirement as a Captain in the Continental Army, they made their home in Greenbush, located across the Hudson River from Albany.

During the 1780s, Helena's husband, Dirck Hansen, held a share of the license for the cross-river ferry.^[5] Dirck Hansen made his will in June 1799 which named Helena as his heir to real and personal property. His children were not named.^[6]

In 1790, their household was enumerated with 8 slaves.^[7][8]

After the death of her first husband, Helena married the Reverend William Linn on May 27, 1800^[9] and gave birth to their son, Archibald Ladley Linn, in 1802.

After the death of her second husband, William Linn, in 1808, Helena made her home with her son, Archibald, in Schenectady.^[10]

Helena Louw Hansen Linn was seventy-nine in 1837 when she applied for a widow's pension based on her first husband's wartime service. Helena was living in Ithaca, Tompkins, New York^[11] She died in 1846.

Sources

1. ↑ U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records from Selected States, 1660-1926; New York; New York City, Vol II, Book 34; page 23; Baptism of Helena Louw
2. ↑ U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records from Selected States, 1660-1926; Albany, Vol. IV; Book 4; page 125; 1781, July 4. Dirk Hanssen and Lysie Low. Wit. Karel Racosham and Sara Becker.
3. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; #W16726 Marriage of Dirck Hansen and Helena Louw
4. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; #W16726 Helena, daughter of Nicholas Louw
5. ↑ Howell, George Rogers; Bi-centennial History of County of Albany, 1609-1886, Volume 2; page 490
6. ↑ Fernow, Berthold; Calendar of Wills on File and Recorded in the Offices of the Clerk of the County of Albany; 1896; page 203
7. ↑ 1790; Census Place: Rensselaerwick, Albany, New York; Series: M637; Roll: 6; Page: 269; Image: 281; Family History Library Film: 0568146
8. ↑ Woodson, Carter Godwin; The Journal of Negro history; Volume 26; page 503
9. ↑ Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900; #W16726 Marriage of William Linn and Helena Louw
10. ↑ 1830; Census Place: Schenectady, Schenectady, New York; Series: M19; Roll: 116; Page: 215; Family History Library Film: 0017176
11. ↑ Year: 1840; Census Place: Ithica, Tompkins, New York; Roll: 345; Page: 274; Image: 553; Family History Library Film: 0017208.

See also:

• The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (quarterly-1931) - Extracts; Publication Place: New York; Publisher: New York Genealogical and Biographical Society; Page Number: 44