The words Van der Heyden signify "from the heather." At an early day some Dirk Van der Heyden may have been so called to distinguish him from another Dirk, perhaps Dirk Van der Berg (from the hill) or Dirk Van der Beng (from the city). There are peculiarities about the derivation of Dutch surnames that make it extremely difficult to trace the genealogy of many of the old Dutch families. The first Van der Heyden in the Hudson valley was Jacob Tyssen, who came from New Amsterdam to Bever Wyck in 1654. In 1676 he was over sixty years old. He married Anna Hals, in Amsterdam, Holland. They had a son Dirk.
[from Addenda and Errata in Vol. IV, p. xlviii: "later generations give the family name in the form of Vanderheyden, instead of Van der Heyden."]
(II) Dirk, called by Woodworth "the progenitor of this family," was a "tapper" or wirekeeper in Albany. He purchased a "bouwery" of Peter Van Woggleum at "Lubberdes" land (Troy), which he divided among his three sons. Besides the "Poesten Bouwery" enterprise he was a speculator in leases at Schaghticoke, which were then attracting the attention of Albany capitalists. "The Common Council having cautiously weighed the matter, allowed eight farms to be leased there, which were actually drawn for by lot from the Mayor's hat." Dirk Van der Heyden in 1717 was "ye highest bidder for one third part of ye Round Platt, of six Morgen on ye south side of ye Scgaakkoos Creek etc." Dirk Van der Heyden is believed to have died in 1738, and to have been buried in the Dutch burial ground in Albany, October 10, of that year. He married Rachel Jochemse Ketelhuyn, March 9, 1687. Sons: Jacob, David I. and Mattys (Matthias). Daughters: Agnist, Anna, and Rachel; others died young. The farm that Dirk Van der Heyden conveyed to his sons extended from the Piscawen Kill to the Poestern [Poesten?] Kill. The Van der Heyden homestead was located not far from the centre of that part bordering on the Hudson, a few hundred feet south of the point opposite the southern extremity of Green Island. The farm remained for many years in possession of the family and included the site of nearly the entire business section of Troy. The family is ineffably associated with the history of Troy, owning nearly all the land on which modern Troy was builded. The prosperous settlement was known for many years as "Vanderheyden." They had secured the finest property within a radius of miles, and after the war of the revolution closed, and emigrants from New England began to arrive, they found no land for sale. Settlements were made all around the farm, but for a long time the Van der Heydens would not part with an acre. There seems to be no doubt that the settlement of Troy was greatly retarded by the obstinacy of Jacob Van der Heyden, so that Lansingburg gained a great advantage. In 1787 he gave way and had his farm surveyed, or a portion of it, into building lots, and this gave a quick impetus to the new town. January 5, 1789, the settlers met and decided on a more convenient name for the town — Troy. The Van der Heydens fought the change, and wrote it for several years "Vanderheyden: alias Troy." As David (III) sold his interest soon after the death of his father he was not concerned in these occurrences.
(III) David I., son of Dirk and Rachel Vanderheyden, baptized May 19, 1695, released his interest in the lands, jointly deeded to the three brothers, to his brother Jacob, March 2, 1732. He became a merchant of Albany, New York. He married, December 26, 1725, Gertruy, daughter of Nanning Harmense Visscher. He made a will August 13, 1770, which mentions all his children except Nanning, who had died previous to the making. September 5, 1766, he leased in perpetuity of the city, a lot of land for a burial place on the west side of Swan street, north of Washington street, at a rent of $250, which was commuted in 1856. On this lot he erected a vault which was called the "Stringer" vault, from his daughter Rachel Stringer. Children:
- Dirk,
- Nanning,
- Rachel,
- David,
- Alida, married Dominie Barent Vrooman,
- Jacob, see forward;
- Rachel, married Samuel Stringer, M. D.
(IV) Jacob, son of David I. and Gertruy (Visscher) Vanderheyden, was baptized March 3, 1737. He married Maria Halenback and had children:
- Jacob Nanning, died in infancy;
- Nanning;
- Dirk, see forward; and
- Maria.
(V) Dirk (Dereachia, from data), son of Jacob and Maria (Halenback) Vanderheyden, was baptized January 5, 1759. He was a farmer all his life, his farm lying back of Troy in the locality of (now) Oakwood cemetery, and comprising a great many acres. He married Rachel ————, and had children:
- Mary, born May 23, 1779.
- Jacob D., mentioned below.
- Deriachia, born May 3, 1784.
- Kate, December 12, 1786.
- Tina, January 15, 1792.
- John D., May 1, 1794.
- Hester, May 4, 1798.
(VI) Jacob D., son of Dirk and Rachel Vanderheyden, was born December 14, 1780, and died February, 1862, at Troy, New York. He came into possession of the farm and lived on it all his life. He married (first) Alida ————, who bore him a son Dirck L., February 15, 1806. He married (second) Mary C. Coons (or Koontz), died July 10, 1873. Children of second wife:
- Jane, born April 27, 1815, died March 24, 1863; married Lavinus Van Leversee, of Clifton Park, Saratoga county, New York.
- Nanning, see forward.
(VII) Nanning, only son of Jacob D. and Mary C. Vanderheyden, was born on the farm at Troy, New York, June 3, 1818, died March 23, 1870, and is buried in beautiful Oakwood cemetery. He was educated in the schools of Troy, and always lived on and cultivated the farm inherited from his father. He was interested in stock raising, and raised many fine horses besides his constant purchasing and selling. His residence was near the northern boundary line of the city of Troy. He married Elizabeth L. Springer, born 1819, died July 9, 1846. Children:
- Helen Maria, born January 1, 1842, died 1860.
- Jane Frances, born November 1, 1845. Since her father's death she has had the management of the estate and has capably administered the trust.