Statue of Jacob Leisler

Statue of Leisler on North Avenue in New Rochelle, New York

The Jacob Leisler Monument is a bronze sculpture designed by American artist Solon Borglum, and is located in the city of New Rochelle, in Westchester County, New York. The monument was erected by the Huguenot Chapter of the ‘’’Daughters of the Revolution’’, and the Huguenot Association of New Rochelle [1] to the memory of Jacob Leisler, friend and advocate of the Huguenot settlers and the first chief executive of the province of New York to draw his power directly from the people.[2] The unveiling of the statue on June 24th, 1913, was the principal event in the celebration of the two hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of New Rochelle.[3] The monument is the only existing statue of Leisler.

Jacob Leisler was a German-born American colonist who came to America by way of Holland as a soldier in the West India Company's service in 1660. Settling in New York he prospered and became a wealthy merchant and later was integral in helping to create the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle in 1688. He also served as the acting Lieutenant Governor of New York under King James II.[4] Beginning in 1689, he led an insurrection dubbed Leisler's Rebellion in colonial New York, seizing control of the colony. In 1691 he was unlawfully convicted of felony and treason William and Mary and executed. Four years later, Parliament reversed the conviction, exonerating the deceased friend of the Huguenots.[5]

Detail

Due to the fact that no portrait is known to exist of Jacob Leisler, the sculpture depicts a generic male figure of his "type" dressed in period clothing which includes a long cape, knee breeches, boots, and a hat. In his right hand the figure holds a walking stick and his left arm rests along the top of the stick. The sculpture is installed on a square stone base that rests on a circular concrete foundation.[6] The sculpture measures approximately 9 x 5 x 3 feet with a base of 4 feet 30 inches x 4 feet 30 inches. The foundation is approximately 1 foot in height by 10 feet in diameter.

The inscription reads:

SOLON H. BORGLUM ROMAN BRONZE WORKS N.Y.
(On front of base:)
JACOB LEISLER, GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK, 1689
(On back of base:)
ERECTED BY

HUGUENOT CHAPTER, DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION, STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE HUGUENOT ASSOCIATION OF NEW ROCHELLE

DEDICATED JUNE 25, 1913
(Around top of circular foundation:)
JACOB LEISLER 1620-1691 DEFENDER OF FREEDOM OF POLITICAL THOUGHT AND SPEECH signed Founder's mark appears.

References

  1. ↑ Hadaway, W. S., & Huguenot and Historical Association of New Rochelle, N.Y. (1936). Through fifty years: An account of the founding and development of the Huguenot and historical association of New Rochelle. New Rochelle, N.Y: The Association.
  2. ↑ Davis, Barbara. "Images of America - New Rochelle". Arcadia Press
  3. ↑ "Statue Preserves Fame of Leisler"; New York Times, June 26, 1913
  4. ↑ "JACOB LEISLER; New Rochelle's Founder Taken as Hero in Drama". NY Times
  5. ↑ "2008 Heritage Award Properties". New Rochelle Historical and Landmarks Review Board; Retrieved April, 2013
  6. ↑ "Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture". Jacob Leisler (sculpture). Smithsonian American Art Museum

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Coordinates: 40°55′59″N 73°47′28″W / 40.93296°N 73.79103°W