Ann Eliza Bleeker

Bio

(1752-1783) Writer, poet. Ann Eliza Bleecker was one of America’s first female novelists, writers of fiction, and also a poet. She married John J. Bleecker in 1769 and moved to Tomhannock, near Albany, New York, but her family was displaced by John Burgoyne’s approaching army. After enduring great horrors and distresses, they made their escape to Albany, and then to Red Hook, where they remained until the surrender of Burgoyne enabled them to return to their home. Her poems were published in the earlier issues of the New York Magazine. She died in Tomhannock, and her tombstone is in Albany. Schaghticoke of the 17th, 18th centuries is located in Rennsaelaer County, and thanks to Bleecker, is said to be the birth place of the American Gothic Novel.