Elisabeth ‘Lijsbeth’ Dirkse Bancker

Biography

Elizabeth 'Lysbeth' Van Epps Bancker by Stefan Bielinski

http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/bios/vd/elvepps.html

“According to traditional sources, Elizabeth Van Epps was born about 1623 [sic: about 1637; her parents married in 1636]. She was the daughter of New Netherland pioneers Dirck and Maria Damens Van Epps.

By 1660, she had become the mother of several children who were christened at the Albany Dutch church where she was a member and regular baptism sponsor.

These Banckers held property in several locations but were known as Albany mainstays for three decades. As Gerrit often was away from their Albany home, Lybeth's activities were of higher profile than those of many early Albany women.

Elizabeth Van Epps Bancker lost her husband in 1691. A year earlier, she had been named as principal heir in his will. Controling substantial property in Albany, Schenectady, and New York, she re-located to Manhattan where she died on July 3, 1693 at the age of seventy. Her son, Evert Bancker, inherited het substantial estate and became mayor of Albany in 1694."

Family

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Eps-11

Elizabeth "Lysbet" Dirkse Van Eps, b.c. 1637, Delfhaven, Holland [sic: more likely, Amsterdam, but no record found]; ; d. 1693. She was the daughter of Dirk (Evertss) van Eps (d. 1647) and Marriten Damen.

Married Gerrit Bancker (Baenken) of Beverwyck (now Albany) New York before 12 December 1659.

They had the following children:

1. Amsterdam, 12 December 1659, child Annetje church: Oude Kerk religion: Hervormd Father: Baenken, Gerrit Mother: [van] Eps, Lijsbet witness: Dirck de Wolff [1]
2. William, born February 23, 1661, married Isabella Winterswijk, of Amsterdam. Holland. Lived in Holland, had at least one daughter Catharme, born February 5, 1693, who married Peter Vandermater and had five children;
3. Evert, born February 24, 1663, married Elizabeth Abeel;
4. Richard, born December 23, 1666, was living in New York City as late as 1692, but died "without issue" (no living children);
5. Anna, born April 1, 1670, married Johannes De Peyster, son Johannes De Peyster and Cornelia Lubberts ;
6. Maria, born. April 1, 1675, married. Sept. 20. 1694, Comehas De Peyster, the younger son of Johannes, who married her sister, Anna.
7. Gerardus, born Aug. 1, 1677. Gerardus ( also called Gerrit) died intestate in 1702, and his brother, Evert, was appointed administrator of his estate. He apppears to have had no issue.
8. John, born September 3, 1682. John was in New York as late as 1717. He is said to have died without issue..

Notes

Elizabeth was evidently a highly capable woman, as would appear from the power of attorney given her by her mother and her second step-father. The journey which she seems to have taken back to Holland in 1665 was by no means a summer recreation at that day.

A curious item is to be found in the Fort Orange records for August 25. 1660. A complaint is recorded against "Hendrick Andriessen for assault and battery on Lysbet, wife of Gerrit Bancker.'" Hendrick was undoubtediy Elizabeth's first step-father.

After her husband's death, Elizabeth removed to New York and set up in business. She died soon after, on July 3. 1693. leaving a large amount of property, which went chiefly to her son. Evert. The inventory of her property shows that she owned real estate in Schenectady, Albany, Catskill. and New York; while her personal property consisted of a large amount of store goods, a share in a brigantine. a large quantity of furs of considerable variety, a negro boy. Toby, several bits of wampum, a number of pieces of silver plate, five gold rings. two of which were set with stones, several bibles and a number of religious books.

References

• http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/albany/bios/vd/elvepps.html
• https://www.dutchgenealogy.nl/case-study-the-origins-of-jan-dirkse-...
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Van_Eps-11