Valckenburgh began as a simple assistant-trader, but managed to make career up to one of the highest ranks, that of Director-General of the Dutch Gold Coast, twice.

Born into a family of modest means, Valckenburg was baptized in the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam on 2 April 1623.

His father, Paulus Paulusz Valckenburgh was a basket weaver from Geleen, his mother Geertje Lamberts a housewife.

After the end of his first term, Valkenburgh returned to Amsterdam in 1659, where he buught Keizersgracht number 113, becoming a neighbour of his Gold Coast colleague Hendrik Carloff.

Due to kidney problems, he was relieved of his duties on 2 June 1667, and a month later, on 8 July, Valckenburgh died.