Johannes de Peyster, Sr.

Johannes de Peyster (born in Haarlem, Holland, about 1600; died in New Amsterdam (now New York City) about 1685) was a Dutch merchant who emigrated to New Amsterdam.

Biography

The family name was originally spelled “Peijster,” “Peister,” or “Pester.” De Peyster came of a French Huguenot family that took refuge in the United Provinces about the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. He emigrated to New Amsterdam on account of religious persecution. During the brief period in 1673-74 in which the Dutch regained possession of New Netherland, he took a prominent part in the conduct of public affairs, and he was one of the last to take the oath of allegiance to the British crown on the final cession of the province to that power.

Notwithstanding his tardiness in taking an oath of allegiance, he still continued active in municipal affairs under English rule. At different times, he served as alderman and deputy mayor, but he refused the mayoralty on account of his ignorance of English. At the time of his death, he was one of the wealthiest citizens of the province.

Family

Of his sons, Abraham became mayor of New York City and chief justice of the province, Johannes also filled the mayor's chair, Isaac was a member of the provincial legislature, and Cornelius was the first chamberlain of New York City, besides acting in various other public capacities. His son-in-law David Provost also served as the city's mayor, succeeding Johannes de Peyster.

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