Biography

Casparus Francis, son of Francis Casparus and Cornelia (Dunbar) Pruyn, was born May 26, 1792; was baptized with Casparus Pruyn (grandfather) and Mary Pruyn (aunt), sponsors. When thirteen years old, he entered the office of the Van Rensselaer estate, his uncle, Robert Dunbar, being the agent to conduct affairs of the extensive property. When Mr. Dunbar resigned in 1835 he was appointed agent for the manor. It was a position requiring considerable executive ability, and he filled the post with satisfaction. When General Stephen Van Rensselaer, the Patroon, died January 26, 1839, the estate was divided, that portion on the east shore of the Hudson river going to William Paterson Van Rensselaer, so Mr. Pruyn removed to Bath, Rensselaer county, to be in the vicinity, and became the agent of the "East Manor," continuing as such until the autumn of 1844, when he resigned. He died February 11, 1846. Mr. Pruyn was married by Rev. John M. Bradford, April 19, 1814, to Ann Hewson, born January 27, 1794, died February 12, 1841, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Fryer) Hewson, of Albany. Children:

Robert Hewson, born February 14, 1815, see forward;
Francis, November 2, 1816; married Isabella Kirk;
Elizabeth, December 16, 1818, died February 6, 1842;
Cornelia, December 5, 1820, married Charles Van Zandt;
Mary, January 27, 1823, died young;
Alida, March 9, 1825, married, January 16, 1845, James C. Bell, died November 2, 1895;
William Fryer, February 28, 1827, married Gertrude Dunbar Visscher;
Edward Roggen, July 12, 1829;
Augustus, October 23, 1831, married Catalina Ten Eyck;
Mary, April 3, 1834, married Montgomery Rochester.