Abraham de Peyster
| Abraham de Peyster | |
|---|---|
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|
| 20th Mayor of New York City | |
|
In office 1691–1694 |
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| Preceded by | John Lawrence |
| Succeeded by | Charles Lodwik |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 8, 1657 New Amsterdam |
| Died | August 3, 1728 (aged 81) New York |
| Spouse(s) | Catharina de Peyster |
| Relations |
Johannes de Peyster (brother) David Provost (brother-in-law) |
| Parents |
Johannes de Peyster, Sr. Cornelia Lubberts |
Abraham de Peyster (July 8, 1657 – August 3, 1728) was the 20th Mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, and served as Governor of New York, 1700-1701.
De Peyster was born in New Amsterdam on July 8, 1657, to Johannes de Peyster, Sr. (c. 1600–c. 1685) and Cornelia (née Lubberts) de Peyster. Abraham's brother, Johannes de Peyster (1666–1719), served as mayor from 1698 until 1699, and was then succeeded by David Provost, the husband of his sister, Maria De Peyster.
In October 1691, he was appointed mayor by Governor Henry Sloughter. Though De Peyster had been an early supporter of Jacob Leisler, who led Leisler's Rebellion, he had not participated in Leisler's later actions. Through his suggestion, the city started providing public support to the poor.
From a wealthy merchant family, De Peyster also reportedly served in a number of public roles during his life, including stints as alderman, Associate Judge and later Chief Justice on the province's Supreme Court, President of the King's Council, and as Treasurer for New York and New Jersey provinces. He also served as a Colonel in the militia. Some sources state that he served as governor or acting governor of the Province of New York, which refers to a few months' time in 1701 after the death of Richard Coote, 1st Earl of Bellomont, when Lieutenant Governor John Nanfan was abroad. This left De Peyster, as the senior member of the Council, briefly in command until Nanfan returned.
Around 1699, De Peyster donated some of his land holdings, part of his garden, for the construction of a new city hall. That city hall was later renamed Federal Hall, which briefly served as the first capitol of the United States, and the site of the first inauguration of George Washington as President.
He married his second cousin, Catharina de Peyster on April 5, 1684, while visiting Amsterdam. Their children included:
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