Stephanus Van Cortlandt
| Stephanus Van Cortlandt | |
|---|---|
| 10th and 17th Mayor of New York City | |
|
In office 1677–1678 | |
| Governor | Edmund Andros |
| Preceded by | Nicholas De Mayer |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Delavall |
|
In office 1686–1688 | |
| Preceded by | Nicholas Bayard |
| Succeeded by | Peter Delanoy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 7, 1643 New Amsterdam, New Netherland (New York City) |
| Died | November 25, 1700 (aged 57) |
| Spouse(s) | Gertruj Van Schuyler |
Stephanus van Cortlandt (May 7, 1643 – November 25, 1700) was the first native-born mayor of New York City, a position which he held from 1677 to 1678 and from 1686 to 1688. He was the patroon of Van Cortlandt Manor and was on the governor's executive council from 1691 to 1700. He was the first resident of Sagtikos Manor in West Bay Shore on Long Island, which was built around 1697. His brother, Jacobus Van Cortlandt also served as mayor of New York City. His wife, Gertruj Van Schuyler, was the sister of Pieter Schuyler, a colonial governor of New York and mayor of Albany.[1]
A number of his descendants married English military leaders and Loyalists active in the American Revolution, and their descendants became prominent members of English society.
Family
- His father, Captain Olof Stevense Van Cortlandt (b. Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands, d. 1684), arrived 1637 in New Amsterdam. Originally a soldier and bookkeeper, he rose to high colonial ranks in service of the Dutch West India Company, serving many terms as burgomaster and alderman.[2] on citizens councils Eight Men and Nine Men
- His mother was Annetje "Anna" Loockermans Van Cortlandt (b. Turnhout March 17, 1618) who may have been the person to start the custom of Santa Claus in America.
- His sister Maria married Jeremias Van Rensselaer.
- His sister Catherine married Frederick Philipse, the first Lord of Philipsborough Manor, and his brother Jacobus married Frederick Philipse's adopted daughter, Eva De Vries Philipse.
- His daughter Anne married Stephen DeLancey. They were the parents of New York Governor James DeLancey and Oliver De Lancey Sr..
- His daughter Margaretta married Judge Samuel Bayard, son of Nicholas Bayard and descendant from the Stuyvesant family. A number of their descendants were Loyalists who relocated to England.
- His youngest daughter Catherine married New Jersey politician Andrew Johnston, son of John Johnstone, 32nd Mayor of New York City.
- Two grandsons were Lt. General William Skinner and his brother Loyalist General Cortlandt Skinner.
- One granddaughter Margaret Kemble was the wife of Thomas Gage, General of the British Army during the American Revolutionary War. Descendants of this union are found in England, including amongst the Viscount Gages and the noble Bertie family in England (including those holding the title of Earls of Abingdon), and the Kennedy family members holding the title of Marquess of Ailsa.
- One grandson was Pierre Van Cortlandt, married to Joanna Livingston.
Career
Stephanus Van Cortland was the first mayor New York City who had been born in America, the date of his birth being 7 May 1643. His first role in public life occurred in 1668, when he was appointed ensign of one of the militia companies of the city. In 1671 he married Geertruyd Schuyler, of Albany, and established his residence at the "Waterside," on the present line of Pearl street, near Broad, where he engaged in business as a merchant. His appointment as mayor, in 1677, at the age of thirty-four years, was a high compliment to his intelligence, and social position in the community, coming, as it did, from the English Governor. This favor, however, he returned, by remaining an adherent of the aristocratic party, in the time of the Leisler affair. When Delanoy, the Leisler candidate, was elected to the mayoralty, in place of Van Cortland, the latter refused to deliver up the city seal. A committee waited on him at his residence, but his wife shut the door in their faces.[3]
References
- ↑ New York City Mayors Part I, page 28. Ralph J. Caliendo. Retrieved 23 May 2012.
- ↑ Allaben, Frank (1908). John Watts de Peyster, Volume 1. Frank Allaben Genealogical Co. pp. 42–43. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ↑ Sketches of the Mayors of New York
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