Albrycht Zaborowski

Who was Albrycht Zaborowski?

Albrycht Zaborowski was a Polish nobleman of Ducal Prussia who settled in what is now New Jersey in 1662.

Zaborowski was born in 1638 in Węgorzewo. A Lutheran, he was one of the pioneers of European colonization within the area of the present day state of New Jersey. After escaping from military service in the Prussian army he decided to immigrate to America. In 1662 he arrived on board the Dutch ship De Vos to New Amsterdam.

He came into possession of a large estate within the present day state of New Jersey and settled in Hackensack and built a family residence there. Due to his good knowledge of Native American languages he became a famous translator and mediator in negotiations conducted between the colonialists and Native American tribes. He also served as justice of peace in Bergen County.

He married Machtelt van der Linden in 1676 and five sons were born from this relationship: Jacob, John, Joost, Christian and Henry. He died in 1711 and was buried in Hackensack. He originated the Zabriskie family, which produced many eminent Americans, such as businessman Christian Brevoort Zabriskie and actress Grace Zabriskie.