Yates Family Relationship

In talking about the Van Ness family, it ultimately leads you to the Yates family. I’ve talked about Jane Maria Van Ness Yates before, but there is also John Van Ness Yates, Esq. who was the Secretary of State for New York and the son of Chief Justice Robert Fulton Yates, Esq. who married Jannetje (Jane) Van Ness.

Robert Yates’ uncle was Abraham Yates, Jr. who was the Mayor of Albany in the 1790s and cousin Peter Waldron Yates who was a Continental Congressman and New York State Assemblyman.

The first of the Yates family in Albany was Col. Joseph Christopher Yates (1647-1730).

Tradition holds that he came to America to serve with the English invasion force after 1664. He was of English background and probably was born in Yorkshire. By the early 1680s, he had married New Netherland native Huybertje Marselis. By 1704, she had given birth to seven children Yates children – who then established the family in Albany, Schenectady, and New York. While serving as a soldier in the Albany garrison, Joseph Yates practiced the blacksmith’s trade – the occupation of a number of his descendants. He supplemented those incomes by supplying firewood to the fort and also held a municipal appointment as city carter. In 1714, he was certified as an invalided soldier and as one of those who had served in the Independent Company for upwards of twenty years. He first purchased a lot on the south side of lower State Street but later lived on the east corner of Green and Beaver Streets. His modest home and smithy would be family landmarks for many years. 

Research by Stefan Bielinski

The Yates House at 109 Union St. in Schenectady, NY was built by Abraham Yates around 1727. Here’s a recent article about them unearthing some old artifacts. And another article from 2011 when it was first offered for sale outside the family. More info – here and here.

Yates House Marker by Howard C. Ohlhous

Yates House Marker by Howard C. Ohlhous

Photographer: Peter R. Barber from article link above

Historic picture of the house – http://www.schenectadyhistory.org/pictures/wfdawson/old_yates_house.html

Sheet 1 of 8 Sheets of drawings of the YATES House, No 109 Union Street Schenectay, Schenectady County, New York, Historic American Buildings Survey.

There’s also the Yates Mansion in Schenectady at 17 Front Street which was recently for sale and where Governor Joseph Yates lived.

Photographer: Eric Miller

You also have Yates St., Yates School, and several other Yates references in Schenectady. Here’s a Yates Doll House from 1834 that’s in the Schenectady County Historical Society Museum.