Catharine Bleecker was born 1809 in Albany, NY, the eldest of 3 known children (1 boy/2 girls) born to merchant John Rutger Bleecker and his (2nd) wife Hester Bayley/Bailey, widow of the Rev. John Blair Linn, and daughter of Col. John Bayley of Dutchess Co, NY.
She was the paternal grandchild of Rutger Bleecker & Catharina Elmendorf; and gr-grandchild of Johannis (John) Rutgerse Bleecker and Elizabeth Staats, all of Albany, NY. She is a direct descendant of this family's patriarch, Jan Jansen Bleecker (ca. 1641-1732) of Holland who immigrated to Albany NY at age 17 where he became a successful fur trader and acquired large tracts of land. He married Margarita, daughter of Rutger Jacobsen Van Schoenderwoert. He was one of the seven partners in the famous Saratoga Patent, some portions of which are yet in the possession of his descendants. On her mother's side, she was the maternal grandchild of Col. John Bayley and Altje Van Wyck of Poughkeepsie, NY.
Catharine was part of a blended family living in her father's household, as he has married (1st) Eliza Ten Eyck Atwood Bridgen/Bridger of New Jersey in 1799 and by her had 3 children: Rutger (1800-1831), Sarah (1802-1883), and Elizabeth (1804-1882). Eliza died in 1805, and 3 years later he married Hester Bayley, widow of the Presbyterian Rev. John Blair Linn, DD, who had died that year at age 27 following a battle with consumption. Hester came to the marriage with 3 sons from Rev. Linn, instantly expanding the Bleecker household to six children. Rutger and Hester would quickly have 3 children: Catharine, Barent (1810-1811), and Mary/Marie (1812-1886).
Catharine's mother, Hester Bayley Linn Bleecker, died in 1823 at age 43 and her father never remarried. The following year her half sister, Sarah, married; followed in 1829 by Elizabeth. In 1835, her sister Mary married Horatio Seymour future Governor of NY; and at age 26, Catharine found herself alone in her father's home taking care of him and managing the household.
Perhaps it was not a surprise then, that the reportedly beautiful young woman would at age 35 escape into the arms of her 60-year old suitor, Col. James Neilson of New Brunswick, NJ. No doubt still a vigorous man, the age gap must have raised a few eyebrows. On January 16, 1844, Catherine sealed her fate and became the 4th wife of the aging, yet wealthy, businessman. Her father would die 5 years later.
The couple would remove to New Brunswick and reside in Neilson's urban mansion, "Wood Lawn", which he'd build in 1830. Eleven months later, Catharine presented him with his only child, James Neilson, Jr. (1844-1937).
Over the next 18 years, Col. James Neilson's wealth and influence gained; and Catherine became the hostess of many affairs held at Wood Lawn. During this time, the home underwent major renovations. In 1850 a kitchen was added to the original square-shaped home, and the circular stair was removed to provide space for a rear entrance hall. In 1868 eight bay window extensions were added, one in each of the four large rooms on both the first and second floors. At the same time, a porch was created in place of the portico and the hipped roof was replaced by a mansard roof.
Catharine was widowed after 18 years of marriage when Col. James Neilson died in 1862 at age 77. The 52-year old widow would remain in Wood Lawn until her death, spending the rest of her life doting on her only child, and traveling extensively through Europe, accompanied by her son.
When her son married in 1870, they shared Wood Lawn with Catharine for 10 years, before building the massive "cottage" on the property within eyesight and earshot of his mother.
Catharine Bleecker Neilson died two days before Christmas on December 23, 1893. She was 84 years old. The funeral was held at her residence on December 26th.
Wood Lawn mansion remained vacant for 12 years, and then in 1905 James Neilson Jr. and his bride returned to the big house and proceeded to make major renovations.
She was the paternal grandchild of Rutger Bleecker & Catharina Elmendorf; and gr-grandchild of Johannis (John) Rutgerse Bleecker and Elizabeth Staats, all of Albany, NY. She is a direct descendant of this family's patriarch, Jan Jansen Bleecker (ca. 1641-1732) of Holland who immigrated to Albany NY at age 17 where he became a successful fur trader and acquired large tracts of land. He married Margarita, daughter of Rutger Jacobsen Van Schoenderwoert. He was one of the seven partners in the famous Saratoga Patent, some portions of which are yet in the possession of his descendants. On her mother's side, she was the maternal grandchild of Col. John Bayley and Altje Van Wyck of Poughkeepsie, NY.
Catharine was part of a blended family living in her father's household, as he has married (1st) Eliza Ten Eyck Atwood Bridgen/Bridger of New Jersey in 1799 and by her had 3 children: Rutger (1800-1831), Sarah (1802-1883), and Elizabeth (1804-1882). Eliza died in 1805, and 3 years later he married Hester Bayley, widow of the Presbyterian Rev. John Blair Linn, DD, who had died that year at age 27 following a battle with consumption. Hester came to the marriage with 3 sons from Rev. Linn, instantly expanding the Bleecker household to six children. Rutger and Hester would quickly have 3 children: Catharine, Barent (1810-1811), and Mary/Marie (1812-1886).
Catharine's mother, Hester Bayley Linn Bleecker, died in 1823 at age 43 and her father never remarried. The following year her half sister, Sarah, married; followed in 1829 by Elizabeth. In 1835, her sister Mary married Horatio Seymour future Governor of NY; and at age 26, Catharine found herself alone in her father's home taking care of him and managing the household.
Perhaps it was not a surprise then, that the reportedly beautiful young woman would at age 35 escape into the arms of her 60-year old suitor, Col. James Neilson of New Brunswick, NJ. No doubt still a vigorous man, the age gap must have raised a few eyebrows. On January 16, 1844, Catherine sealed her fate and became the 4th wife of the aging, yet wealthy, businessman. Her father would die 5 years later.
The couple would remove to New Brunswick and reside in Neilson's urban mansion, "Wood Lawn", which he'd build in 1830. Eleven months later, Catharine presented him with his only child, James Neilson, Jr. (1844-1937).
Over the next 18 years, Col. James Neilson's wealth and influence gained; and Catherine became the hostess of many affairs held at Wood Lawn. During this time, the home underwent major renovations. In 1850 a kitchen was added to the original square-shaped home, and the circular stair was removed to provide space for a rear entrance hall. In 1868 eight bay window extensions were added, one in each of the four large rooms on both the first and second floors. At the same time, a porch was created in place of the portico and the hipped roof was replaced by a mansard roof.
Catharine was widowed after 18 years of marriage when Col. James Neilson died in 1862 at age 77. The 52-year old widow would remain in Wood Lawn until her death, spending the rest of her life doting on her only child, and traveling extensively through Europe, accompanied by her son.
When her son married in 1870, they shared Wood Lawn with Catharine for 10 years, before building the massive "cottage" on the property within eyesight and earshot of his mother.
Catharine Bleecker Neilson died two days before Christmas on December 23, 1893. She was 84 years old. The funeral was held at her residence on December 26th.
Wood Lawn mansion remained vacant for 12 years, and then in 1905 James Neilson Jr. and his bride returned to the big house and proceeded to make major renovations.
Catharine Bleecker was born 1809 in Albany, NY, the eldest of 3 known children (1 boy/2 girls) born to merchant John Rutger Bleecker and his (2nd) wife Hester Bayley/Bailey, widow of the Rev. John Blair Linn, and daughter of Col. John Bayley of Dutchess Co, NY.
She was the paternal grandchild of Rutger Bleecker & Catharina Elmendorf; and gr-grandchild of Johannis (John) Rutgerse Bleecker and Elizabeth Staats, all of Albany, NY. She is a direct descendant of this family's patriarch, Jan Jansen Bleecker (ca. 1641-1732) of Holland who immigrated to Albany NY at age 17 where he became a successful fur trader and acquired large tracts of land. He married Margarita, daughter of Rutger Jacobsen Van Schoenderwoert. He was one of the seven partners in the famous Saratoga Patent, some portions of which are yet in the possession of his descendants. On her mother's side, she was the maternal grandchild of Col. John Bayley and Altje Van Wyck of Poughkeepsie, NY.
Catharine was part of a blended family living in her father's household, as he has married (1st) Eliza Ten Eyck Atwood Bridgen/Bridger of New Jersey in 1799 and by her had 3 children: Rutger (1800-1831), Sarah (1802-1883), and Elizabeth (1804-1882). Eliza died in 1805, and 3 years later he married Hester Bayley, widow of the Presbyterian Rev. John Blair Linn, DD, who had died that year at age 27 following a battle with consumption. Hester came to the marriage with 3 sons from Rev. Linn, instantly expanding the Bleecker household to six children. Rutger and Hester would quickly have 3 children: Catharine, Barent (1810-1811), and Mary/Marie (1812-1886).
Catharine's mother, Hester Bayley Linn Bleecker, died in 1823 at age 43 and her father never remarried. The following year her half sister, Sarah, married; followed in 1829 by Elizabeth. In 1835, her sister Mary married Horatio Seymour future Governor of NY; and at age 26, Catharine found herself alone in her father's home taking care of him and managing the household.
Perhaps it was not a surprise then, that the reportedly beautiful young woman would at age 35 escape into the arms of her 60-year old suitor, Col. James Neilson of New Brunswick, NJ. No doubt still a vigorous man, the age gap must have raised a few eyebrows. On January 16, 1844, Catherine sealed her fate and became the 4th wife of the aging, yet wealthy, businessman. Her father would die 5 years later.
The couple would remove to New Brunswick and reside in Neilson's urban mansion, "Wood Lawn", which he'd build in 1830. Eleven months later, Catharine presented him with his only child, James Neilson, Jr. (1844-1937).
Over the next 18 years, Col. James Neilson's wealth and influence gained; and Catherine became the hostess of many affairs held at Wood Lawn. During this time, the home underwent major renovations. In 1850 a kitchen was added to the original square-shaped home, and the circular stair was removed to provide space for a rear entrance hall. In 1868 eight bay window extensions were added, one in each of the four large rooms on both the first and second floors. At the same time, a porch was created in place of the portico and the hipped roof was replaced by a mansard roof.
Catharine was widowed after 18 years of marriage when Col. James Neilson died in 1862 at age 77. The 52-year old widow would remain in Wood Lawn until her death, spending the rest of her life doting on her only child, and traveling extensively through Europe, accompanied by her son.
When her son married in 1870, they shared Wood Lawn with Catharine for 10 years, before building the massive "cottage" on the property within eyesight and earshot of his mother.
Catharine Bleecker Neilson died two days before Christmas on December 23, 1893. She was 84 years old. The funeral was held at her residence on December 26th.
Wood Lawn mansion remained vacant for 12 years, and then in 1905 James Neilson Jr. and his bride returned to the big house and proceeded to make major renovations.
She was the paternal grandchild of Rutger Bleecker & Catharina Elmendorf; and gr-grandchild of Johannis (John) Rutgerse Bleecker and Elizabeth Staats, all of Albany, NY. She is a direct descendant of this family's patriarch, Jan Jansen Bleecker (ca. 1641-1732) of Holland who immigrated to Albany NY at age 17 where he became a successful fur trader and acquired large tracts of land. He married Margarita, daughter of Rutger Jacobsen Van Schoenderwoert. He was one of the seven partners in the famous Saratoga Patent, some portions of which are yet in the possession of his descendants. On her mother's side, she was the maternal grandchild of Col. John Bayley and Altje Van Wyck of Poughkeepsie, NY.
Catharine was part of a blended family living in her father's household, as he has married (1st) Eliza Ten Eyck Atwood Bridgen/Bridger of New Jersey in 1799 and by her had 3 children: Rutger (1800-1831), Sarah (1802-1883), and Elizabeth (1804-1882). Eliza died in 1805, and 3 years later he married Hester Bayley, widow of the Presbyterian Rev. John Blair Linn, DD, who had died that year at age 27 following a battle with consumption. Hester came to the marriage with 3 sons from Rev. Linn, instantly expanding the Bleecker household to six children. Rutger and Hester would quickly have 3 children: Catharine, Barent (1810-1811), and Mary/Marie (1812-1886).
Catharine's mother, Hester Bayley Linn Bleecker, died in 1823 at age 43 and her father never remarried. The following year her half sister, Sarah, married; followed in 1829 by Elizabeth. In 1835, her sister Mary married Horatio Seymour future Governor of NY; and at age 26, Catharine found herself alone in her father's home taking care of him and managing the household.
Perhaps it was not a surprise then, that the reportedly beautiful young woman would at age 35 escape into the arms of her 60-year old suitor, Col. James Neilson of New Brunswick, NJ. No doubt still a vigorous man, the age gap must have raised a few eyebrows. On January 16, 1844, Catherine sealed her fate and became the 4th wife of the aging, yet wealthy, businessman. Her father would die 5 years later.
The couple would remove to New Brunswick and reside in Neilson's urban mansion, "Wood Lawn", which he'd build in 1830. Eleven months later, Catharine presented him with his only child, James Neilson, Jr. (1844-1937).
Over the next 18 years, Col. James Neilson's wealth and influence gained; and Catherine became the hostess of many affairs held at Wood Lawn. During this time, the home underwent major renovations. In 1850 a kitchen was added to the original square-shaped home, and the circular stair was removed to provide space for a rear entrance hall. In 1868 eight bay window extensions were added, one in each of the four large rooms on both the first and second floors. At the same time, a porch was created in place of the portico and the hipped roof was replaced by a mansard roof.
Catharine was widowed after 18 years of marriage when Col. James Neilson died in 1862 at age 77. The 52-year old widow would remain in Wood Lawn until her death, spending the rest of her life doting on her only child, and traveling extensively through Europe, accompanied by her son.
When her son married in 1870, they shared Wood Lawn with Catharine for 10 years, before building the massive "cottage" on the property within eyesight and earshot of his mother.
Catharine Bleecker Neilson died two days before Christmas on December 23, 1893. She was 84 years old. The funeral was held at her residence on December 26th.
Wood Lawn mansion remained vacant for 12 years, and then in 1905 James Neilson Jr. and his bride returned to the big house and proceeded to make major renovations.
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