Background
Abraham Van Vechten was born on December 5, 1762 in Catskill, Albany County (now Greene County), New New York He was the son of Dutch immigrants Teunis van Vechten (1707–1785) and Judikje ten Broeck (van Vechten).
Abraham Van Vechten was born on December 5, 1762 in Catskill, Albany County (now Greene County), New New York He was the son of Dutch immigrants Teunis van Vechten (1707–1785) and Judikje ten Broeck (van Vechten).
Van Vechten was educated at Columbia College, studied law with John Lansing, Junior., and began practice in Johnstown, New York, but soon removed to Albany.
In 1792, he was elected one of the first directors of the Bank of Albany. From 1796 to 1797, he was Assistant Attorney General for the Fifth District, comprising Albany, Saratoga, Schoharie and Montgomery Counties. He was a Federalist presidential elector in 1796, and cast his votes for John Adams and Thomas Pinckney.
From 1797 to 1823, he was a regent of the University of the State of New New York
Van Vechten was a presidential elector in 1828, voting for John Quincy Adams and Richard Rush. Van Vechten died in Albany on January 6, 1837, and was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery.
He was Recorder of the City of Albany from 1797 to 1808. A member of the New York State Senate from 1798 to 1805, and from 1816 to 1819. A member of the New York State Assembly in 1806, and from 1808 to 1813.
New York State Attorney General from 1810 to 1811, and from 1813 to 1815.
And a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1821.