Johannes de Peyster


Johannes de Peyster or Johannes de Peyster II was the 23rd Mayor of New York City between 1698 and 1699.

Early life

Johannes was born in New York City in 1666 to Johannes and Cornelia Lubberts de Peyster. Johannes's brother Abraham de Peyster served as mayor from 1691 to 1694, and his sister, Maria De Peyster, was married to David Provost.
In 1695, he was a Captain with the 2nd Battalion, Company of Foot, New York.

Career

De Peyster was Assessor of New York from 1692 to 1693, the Assistant Alderman of New York 1694 to 1696, a member of Provincial Legislature, and served as the 23rd Mayor of New York City between 1698 and 1699. While mayor, the first Trinity Church was built, the first Anglican Church in New York City, after Governor Fletcher's request was approved by King William III. He was succeeded as mayor by his brother-in law, David Provost.
In addition to his stint as mayor, he served in the colonial assembly.

Personal life

Johannes married Anna Bancker, an Albany native and the daughter of Gerrit Bancker, a pioneer fur trader, and Elizabeth Van Epps. Anna was the younger sister of Evert Bancker, the 3rd and 12th Mayor of Albany, New York. Together they had:
According to some sources, Johannes was known as "Johannes de Peyster II" and his son as "III".

Descendants

His grandsons include Gerard Bancker, New York State Treasurer from 1778 to 1798, and Henry Rutgers, namesake of Rutgers College. His granddaughters, Anna de Peyster and Rachel de Peyster, married New York State Senator Volkert P. Douw and Tobias Ten Eyck, respectively.