USA > New York > New York City > History of the city of New York > Part 16
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James Emott, a lawyer of eminence, resided on the east side of Broadway, above Wall street. He was distin- guished in the state trials of. that era.
Philip French, a merchant, residing on the east side of Broad street, near the present Exchange place, was origin- ally from Kelshall, Suffolk county, England, where his family were extensive landholders. He married, in this city, Anneken, daughter of Frederick Philipse. Mr. French was a prominent politician, and held a high social position in this city. He died in the year 1707, leaving three daughters; his name, therefore, has not been perpetuated among his descendants.
Abraham Gouverneur was descended of a Dutch family in this city. He was clerk of the city council for some time, and afterward engaged in business as a merchant. He
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married, in the year 1699, Mary, the widow of Jacob Mil- born, and daughter of Jacob Leisler. Mr. Gouverneur subsequently engaged prominently in public life, and was conspicuous among the friends of the Leislerian party.
John Harpending, although never in public life, was a well-known and highly esteemed citizen. He acquired a respectable fortune by industrious application to his busi- ness of tanner and shoemaker; in 1676 he resided in High street, on the present Stone street, east of Broad street. His probity and high moral principle was in such high esteem that he was frequently appointed, by some of the wealthiest inhabitants, as executor of their estates, and in the affairs of the Dutch Church he always enjoyed a prom- inent position. Mr. Harpending, in conjunction with five other persons of his own trade, purchased a tract of sev- eral acres, east of Broadway and north of Maiden lane, for many years known as the Shoemaker's Pasture. This property was divided in the year 1695, and a large number of lots fell to his share; out of this he bestowed on the Dutch Church the ground upon which the present "North Dutch Church," on William and Fulton streets, is situated. The present John street, it is said, was so named in com pliment to Mr. Harpending. He died in this city, at an advanced age.
James Graham was an alderman in 1680 and '81. In 1683 he was appointed recorder, and was the first who held that office; he afterward was appointed attorney-general of this province. His subsequent career in public life was of the most prominent character, having filled several high legislative stations in this city and province. Mr. Gra- ham's residence in this city was on the east side of Broad- way, south of Exchange place. He removed, in the later
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years of his life, to the estate of Mr. Morris, at Morrisa- nia, which he took on lease, and where he dispensed his hospitalities on a munificent scale; he died in the year 1701, leaving six children. A singular incident occurred in the year 1682, putting the life of Mr. Graham in immi- nent jeopardy. From the evidence it appeared that Graham had often expressed his desire to cultivate an acquaintance with Captain Baxter, an English officer, recently arrived, in commission; and a party of several friends, including Graham and Baxter, met to spend a social afternoon at the public house of Dirck Van Clyff, in " the Orchard," (near the present John and Cliff streets.) About nine o'clock in the evening, the company being about to dis- perse, Graham paid the reckoning, and was called aside by Baxter, a little from the company, but in their sight. The persons present saw Baxter seemingly kiss Graham, when the latter immediately called out that he was stabbed. The wound was under the collar bone, about four inches deep. Baxter was bound over to await his trial in case of Graham's death, but the wound did not prove to be mortal.
George Heathcote, born in Middlesex county, England, came to this country as captain of a merchant ship, about the year 1678. He purchased the seat of Mr. Heermans, one of the early Dutch merchants, on the present west side of Pearl street, the present Pine street running through the property, which embraced extensive grounds. He established himself in mercantile trade, on a large scale, principally with the West Indies, where he at times resided. He acquired a large property, and being a bach- elor, invited his nephew, Caleb Heathcote, to take up his residence in this country; and upon his death, at his last
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residence in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1710, be- queathed his large property to his nephew, who became one of the most considerable men in the province.
John Hutchins kept the tavern, afterward the site of the City Hotel, in Broadway, corner of Thames street. His house was the head-quarters of the party opposed to Leisler and his friends, and Mr. Hutchins was a conspicu- ous member of that party. He represented his ward for several years, as alderman. Having become, in the year 1702, implicated with Colonel Bayard, in getting up certain addresses of libelous character, upon the existing govern- ment, a state prosecution was instituted against them, and, upon conviction, they were sentenced to death. He was, however, released on bail, and subsequently, with the change of parties in power, the judgment was annulled."
John Inyan, a merchant of high standing, resided near the present north-east corner of Whitehall and Bridge streets, in a brick building of a good class. He held the office of alderman of the Dock Ward in 1683, and had previously been a prominent man in public life. He left the city soon after the year above-mentioned.
Jacob Kip, a son of Hendrick Kip, one of the early in- habitants in the time of the Dutch, was the first secretary of the Court of Burgomasters and Schepens; resigning this place, he engaged in the brewing business. He mar- ried the widow of Guleyn Verplanck. His residence was in Broad street, near the present Exchange place.
Thomas Lewis, a mariner in early life, established his residence in this city, soon after the surrender to the Eng- lish. In 1668 he purchased of Burgher Joris, his property on the present north-east corner of Hanover square and William street, about forty feet front, on Hanover square,
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and one hundred and forty feet in depth. He established himself in the mercantile business at that place, and resided there until his death. Mr. Lewis was a man of property, and in good esteem; he held the office of alderman for several years. He died in the year 1684, leaving a widow and five children. One of his sons, (Thomas) married, in 1694, a daughter of Mrs. Leisler.
Charles Lodowyck, mayor in 1694, was a merchant in good standing. Being one of the militia captains in this city at the time of Leisler's revolution, he took a conspicu- ous part in that movement; he subsequently was lieutenant- colonel of the New York Regiment. Mr. Lodowick removed, toward the close of his life, to England, where he died.
James Matthews, a merchant of English birth, estab- lished himself in business on the present north-westerly corner of Broad and Pearl streets, and acquired a consid- erable property. He died in the year 1686.
William Merritt, mayor in 1695, 6, 7, came to this city about the year 1671, as a ship captain. He established himself in the trade of a merchant. He was elected to the common council for several years, and subsequently to the office of Mayor.
Gabriel Minvielle, mayor in 1684, was a Frenchman by descent, but lived in early life in Amsterdam, Holland; in the year 1669 he established himself as a merchant in this city, and carried on an extensive foreign trade. He mar- ried Susannah, a daughter of John Lawrence, a wealthy merchant, and fixed his residence on the west side of Broadway, in a fine mansion near the Bowling Green. Mr. Minvielle died in 1702, leaving no children; and his family and name thus became extinct in this city.
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Lewis Morris, a wealthy merchant, who established his residence in this city in the year 1674, was an Englishman by birth, but had resided for some years in the West Indies. His only brother, Richard, had resided in this city for several years engaged in trade, and had purchased the estate of Morrisania, in Westchester county, and acquired other extensive interests. His death, leaving an in infant child (Lewis, afterward governor of New Jersey,) occasioned the visit of his brother to this city, and his sub- sequent permanent establishment here. The subject of this sketch, commonly called Colonel Morris, resided on the south side of Bridge street, next to the corner of the present Whitehall street. He died in the spring of 1691.
Matthias Nicoll, mayor in 1672, was descended of an ancient and honorable family at Islippe, Northampton- shire, England, and was by profession a lawyer. After the capture of this city in 1664, he took a prominent part in public affairs, and was appointed secretary of the prov- ince, being the first who held that office under the English; he was also appointed to preside with the justices of the different ridings in the Court of Sessions. In 1672 he was appointed, by the governor, to the office of mayor, which he held for one year. In 1683 he was appointed one of the justices of the Supreme Court, in which capacity he offici- ated, for the last time, in Queens county, September 12th, 1687. He died at his residence on Cow Neck, Long Island, December 22d, 1687, where his wife, Abigail, is also buried. One of the sons of Mayor Nicoll, William, was bred to the bar, and became one of the leading citizens of his time in this city. The descendants of the family are numerous on Long Island.
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Suert Olpherts. This citizen was by trade a mason. He had acquired a considerable property by his business, and resided on the east side of Broadway, second door below Exchange place. He represented his ward in the common council, and was a prominent man in public life. At an advanced age (1697) he married the venerable widow of Cornelius Clopper, who had formerly resided on the corner of Pearl street and Maiden lane. This lady died within two or three years.
William Peartree, a merchant of this city, had formerly resided in Jamaica. He acquired a large estate in this province, and held the office of mayor in 1703, 4, 5 and 6. He resided on the north side of Beaver street, between New street and Broadway. Colonel Peartree died in the year 1714, leaving no male descendants. His daughter, Frances, married William Smith, an eminent merchant of this city, and was the mother of William Smith, Esq., the historian of New York.
William Pinhorne, a merchant of good education and property, established himself in this city after the surren- der by the Dutch, and acquired a large estate. His name is conspicuous among the opponents of Leisler and his party, and he is shown to have been among the most active political characters of his time. In the year 1691 Mr. Pinhorne was appointed recorder of this city, and in sub- sequent years was a member of the governor's council, and held other distinguished public stations.
David Provoost, mayor in 1699, was a son of David Pro- voost, one of the earliest settlers in this city (some account of whom is given on a former page.) The subject of this sketch commenced trade as a merchant, about the year 1666. He married a daughter of Johannes Depeyster, an
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eminent merchant, and for many years held a conspicuous position among his fellow citizens.
John Robinson, a merchant of large estate, established himself in this city after the surrender to the English. About the year 1680 he purchased thirty-eight and a quar- ter acres of land on a stream then called Saw-mill Creek, on this island, emptying into the East river; the mill dam at this place threw the water back about fifteen hundred feet, and gave an ample supply of water. He here erected a grist-mill, and became a large dealer in flour, the expor- tation of which was then monopolized by the inhabitants of New York. The place of business of Mr. Robinson, in this city, was in the Smith's Valley, or the present Pearl street, above Wall. He held the office of alderman for some time.
Francois Rombouts, mayor in 1679, was a Frenchman by birth, but his parents having emigrated to Holland, Mr. Rombouts, in the year 1654, being then a merchant's clerk, was sent to this country on a commercial expedition. He met here with some misfortunes, which prevented his return, and he established himself in business as a mer- chant in this city. In the year 1658, he enrolled himself among the burghers or citizens, as he had then already been a resident here for several years. His trading ope- rations as a merchant soon became extensive. He married in the city, and fixed his residence on the west side of Broadway, below Rector street, his ground there embrac- ing a large garden and orchard. Mr. Rombouts died in 1691, leaving one child, a daughter. His name thus be- came extinct among his descendants.
Lucas Santen, came to this city in 1684, with a com- mission as collector of the port. He died here in 1692.
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Brandt Schuyler, a son of one of the early settlers of that name, established himself in mercantile business on the corner of the present Stone and Broad streets. He was connected with the wealthy families of that day, and occupied a prominent position among his fellow-citizens. He was elected alderman of the South Ward in the year 1691, and for several years following.
William Smith, a merchant, established himself in this city about the year 1690, and married Francis, a daughter of Colonel William Peartree. His dwelling was situated on the west side of Broadway, opposite the Bowling Green. He occupied several prominent official stations in the province, among others that of a member of the provincial council.
Samuel Staats, a physician, was descended of an old Dutch family, originally settled at Albany. Doctor Staats was conspicuous in the times of the so-called rebellion, as a friend of Leisler. He held a prominent position in pub- lic life at that time, and subsequently was a member of the provincial council.
Nicholas William Stuyvesant, a son of the Dutch director, Petrus Stuyvesant, was born in this city in the year 1648. He married, first, Maria, daughter of William Beekman ; second, Elizabeth Slechtenhorst. by whom he had two sons and one daughter. After the death of Governor Stuyve- sant, in 1671, the subject of this sketch resided on the estate of his late father, on the Bowery road, and upon the death of his mother in 1684, he came into the inheritance of a large estate. Mr. Stuyvesant represented his ward as an alderman in 1687, and was in other respects engaged in public life. He died in the year 1698, leaving his widow surviving and three children, Petrus, Gerardus and Anna.
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William Teller, a wealthy merchant, formerly residing at Albany, took up his residence in New York, in the later years of his life. He resided in the present William street, near Exchange place. Mr. Teller died about the year 1700.
Cornelius Van Borsum, a merchant of considerable es- tate, residing on the north-westerly corner of the present Whitehall and Pearl streets, was a son of the ancient ferryman of that name, in the times of the Dutch. Mr. Van Borsum died in the year 1682, leaving his widow, Sarah, surviving, and several children. His widow died in the year 1693. This lady named Sarah was a step- daughter of Domine Bogardus. She married first, Doctor Kierstede of this city; secondly, Elbert Elbertsen, and thirdly, Cornelius Van Borsum.
Stephanus Van Cortlandt, mayor in 1677-86-87, was a son of Oloff Stevensen Van Cortland, an ancient and con- spicuous citizen of the early Dutch times. Stephanus Van Cortland was the first mayor of this city born in America, the date of his birth in this city being 7th May, 1643. In 1671 he married Geertruyd Schuyler, of Albany, and en- gaged in mercantile trade on the line of the present Pearl street, near Broad, then facing the East river. His first appointment as mayor, was at the age of thirty-four years, and was a high compliment to his intelligence. After a life of business and political activity, Mr. Van Cortland died in the year 1701, at the age of fifty-eight years. His wife was then living, and also eleven children, viz., John, Margaret, (wife of Samuel Bayard) Ann, Olive, Mary, Philip, Stephanus, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Katherine and Cornelia. He left a large estate, amongst which was an extensive property south of the Highlands, afterward
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called Van Cortland Manor. This was composed of two extensive tracts, one known by the Indian name Meanagh, consisting of the neck jutting into the river opposite Hav- erstraw, and another called Appamapagh, upon a creek more inland.
Jacobus Van Cortland, the second son of the Dutch Bur- gomaster, Oloff Stephenson Van Cortland, was an eminent merchant of this city. He was born in this city on the 7th July, 1668, and married in 1691, Eva, daughter of the wealthy citizen Frederick Philipse. He was elected to represent the Dock Ward in the common council for seve- ral years, and subsequently (1710-1719) held the office of mayor. He died in the year 1739.
Rip Van Dam, was descended, it is supposed, from Jacob Van Dam, who was a prominent man in New Netherland in Governor Stuyvesant's time. The subject of this sketch engaged in mercantile pursuits in this city, some years subsequent to the final cession of the country to the English. His business was prosperous, and he engaged in building vessels for his business purposes during several years. His launching place being in the rear of the present Trinity church-yard. In 1693 Mr. Van Dam entered public life as assistant alderman of the South ward, to which office he was several times re-elected. In the later years of his life Mr. Van Dam was for many years a member of the governor's council. In the year 1731, while holding a seat in the council, and being then the oldest member, the governor (Montgomerie) died, and Mr. Van Dam, in virtue of his position succeeded to the office, and administered the executive government for about one year, when his successor arrived from England. A law- suit of an exciting character ensued between Mr. Van
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Dam and his successor, respecting the salary and perqui- sites of his late station; the whole provincial community taking sides with one or the other of the contestants. Mr. Van Dam resided in this city for several years subse- quent to this period.
Guleyn Verplanck was a son of Abraham Verplanck, one of the earliest inhabitants of this city. He served a mercantile clerkship with Allard Anthony, and subse- quently engaged in business. He married a daughter of Madam Wessells. Mr. Verplanck was an active man in public affairs. He held the office of schepen in 1674, and alderman in several successive years. He died in the year 1684.
Isaac Van Vleck. This gentleman purchased a brewery at the upper end of the present Broad street, in 1670, for- merly belonging to Pieter Wolfertsen Van Couwenhoven, where he afterward resided until his death, and conducted a prosperous brewing business. He represented his ward during several years as alderman. Mr. Van Vleck died in the year 1695.
William Vesey, the first rector of Trinity Church, was invited hither from England, and preached his first sermon on Sunday, 13th March, 1697. In March of the following year he married Mrs. Mary Reade, a widow, then residing in this city. Mr. Vesey continued his service in the church for many years subsequent to this period; and died while still pastor in 1746. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Barclay.
Robert Walters, a merchant of this city, married one of the daughters of Jacob Leisler, and was, although at this period a young man, an active participant in public affairs.
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He subsequently held the office of mayor, and member of the provincial council.
Thomas Weaver, attorney-general of the province in the time of Governor Bellamont, resided in this country but a short time, having taken an active part against the anti- Leislerian party, he was compelled, upon the reinstate- ment of that faction in power, to fly from this province.
Samuel Wilson, a merchant of great wealth, established himself in New York soon after the cession to the Eng- lish, his residence being on the south side of the present Wall street, near Pearl. Mr. Wilson was a prominent citizen, and active in public life. He died in the year 1689, leaving a widow and two sons.
Thomas Willett, mayor in 1665-7. Captain Willett, the first mayor of New York, was an Englishman, who emigrat- ed to America with the pilgrims, and arrived at Plymouth in the year 1629. He soon after engaged in trade with the neighboring settlements, and was one of the pioneers of the carrying trade on the Sound, between this city (then New Amsterdam) and the English settlements. He is found to have acquired landed interests in this city as early as the year 1645, and probably had a temporary residence here at that period. In subsequent years, when questions of territorial boundary arose between the Dutch and their English neighbors, he was an efficient and active negotia- tor between the respective parties, as he had acquired a knowledge of the Dutch language from his constant inter- course with them. On the conquest of this city by Col. Nichols, in 1664, it was the policy of that officer to con- ciliate the Dutch inhabitants by the appointment of magis- trates as nearly as possible unobjectionable to the Dutch,
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for which purpose Captain Willett was chosen as the head of the magistracy. After his retirement from office, hav- ing become advanced in age, he removed to his farm in Rehoboth, now in the town of Seekonk, Bristol county, Mass., where he died August 4, 1674.
Captain Willett married, July 6, 1636, Mary, a daughter of John Brown, of Plymouth, by whom he had the follow- ing children : Thomas, Hester, Rebecca, James, Andrew, Samuel and Hezekiah, the last of whom was murdered by the Indians, during Philip's War in 1676. Captain Willett left considerable property in the province of New York, and his son Thomas resided here, and became one of the leading citizens of his time. The ashes of Mayor Willett, lie buried in an humble grave-yard in the town of Seekonk, Mass., a place seldom visited by the footsteps of man; a plain monument marking the spot where his remains are interred.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS FROM 1700 TO 1728.
THE divisions which had so greatly perturbed the com- munity during the exciting administration of Leisler, had left their stamp upon the public mind so deeply that their influence can be distinctly traced during many subsequent years.
During the administration of the Earl of Bellamont, the adherents of Leisler had been favored by the counte- nance of the government, and the rival party had conse- quently been powerless. By the death of that governor, however, a prospect of brighter fortunes was opened to the latter faction; and at the election for the city, in the fall of 1701, a severe contest took place for the supremacy in the city government.
The common council was, at that time, composed of the mayor, recorder, six aldermen and six assistants. If the vote in the common council were equal, the mayor had a casting vote. Mr. Noell, the mayor elect, was an "anti- Leislerian," while the recorder, Mr. Abraham Gouverneur, was a " Leislerian." The strife to gain a majority of the common council was severe, and the votes, in some of the wards, very close. There were six wards, and as the aldermen made the returns of the election, every alderman
LOSSING RARRITT.
French Protestant Church, erected in the year 1704, in the present Pine street near Nassau street.
LOSSING-BARRITZ
Country house near Kip's Bay, on the East river. Erected about the year 1696.
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returned the candidate of his own party elected. Three of these returns were undisputed, viz :
Dock Ward-Philip French, alderman, and Robert Lur- ting, assistant-"anti-Leislerian."
Out Ward-Martin Clock, alderman, and Abraham Messier, assistant-" Leislerian."
North Ward-Jacob Boelen, alderman, and Gerrit On- clebag, assistant-" Leislerian."
The aldermen of the other three wards, who were last year of the Leislerian party, and who had been candidates for re-election, returned themselves elected, viz :
East Ward-Johannes Depeyster, alderman, and Abra- ham Brazier, assistant.
West Ward-David Provoost, alderman, and Peter Wil- liams Roome, assistant.
South Ward-Nicholas Roosevelt, alderman, and Hen- drick Jellison, assistant.
It being apparent, from the close and perhaps doubtful nature of the vote, that the elections of these wards would be contested, and that the new mayor-who it was well known would be of the opposite faction-would refuse to swear in the members according to the returns, they departed from the usual course, and all the Leislerians procured themselves to be sworn in by the retiring mayor, who was of their party.
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