Dirck W. Ten Broeck


Dirck Wessel Ten Broeck was an American landowner, soldier, politician who served in the 1st and 2nd New York State Legislatures.

Early life

Ten Broeck was born on July 26, 1738 in Albany, Province of New York in what was then British America. He was the youngest son of Grietje "Margarita" Ten Broeck and Albany mayor Dirck Ten Broeck, members of the Ten Broeck family which had long been prominent in colonial New York. Among his elder siblings were Catharine, wife of John Livingston, Christina, wife of fellow New York State Senator Philip Livingston, and brother Abraham, married to Elizabeth Van Rensselaer.
His maternal grandparents were Abraham Cuyler and Caatje Cuyler Ten Broeck and Wessel Ten Broeck.

Career

Ten Broeck served as firemaster in 1769 and was a lottery manager in 1772. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, he supported the Patriot cause and "diverted his business stock of tools, weaponry, and supplies" to the Continental Army. During the war, he served as a Lieutenant colonel of the Albany militia and was a member of the Committee of Correspondence. Ten Broeck also served as a United States Lottery Agent and Continental Loan Officer.

Post-war career

He was a member of the 1st New York State Legislature, having been elected to the New York State Senate to represent one of six seats for the Western District, which consisted of Albany and Tryon counties. His first term, which met from September 9, 1777 to June 30, 1778, was during the first year of George Clinton's governorship, and met at Kingston before meeting at Poughkeepsie. He also served in the 2nd Legislature, which met from October 13, 1778, to March 17, 1779 at Poughkeepsie. In his second Senate term, he was elected to the Council of Appointment who selected his brother Abraham as the Mayor of Albany in 1779. He was succeeded in his Senate seat by his brother Abraham.

Personal life

On November 25, 1761, Ten Broeck was married Annatje "Anna" Douw, the eldest child of New York State Senator Volkert P. Douw and Anna Douw. They lived in the third ward home Ten Broeck had inherited from his father, owned extensive land, but did not have any children together.
Anna died in Albany on February 18, 1774. Ten Broeck died in Albany on May 29, 1780.