General Notes

Source: Book; "De Peyster and Watts Genealogical References".
Abraham I (Colonel De Heer) Eldest son of Johannes, Judge of the Supreme C
ourt (he "modestly declined proceeding upon business" as Chief Justic
e, to which office he had been appointed by the Governor, Lord Bellamont).
The friend of William Penn; "eminent for his hospitality and kindness to s
trangers.
Source: The Depeyster Genealogy by Waldron Phoenix Belknap, Jr., Private
ly Printed, Boston, Ma. 1956
The earliest reference to Johannes found by this compiler if July 16, 164
9, when he certified with Jacob Kip that Margarita (Gillis) (Ver Brugg?
), wife of David Provoost, was alive (Dutch Mss: 47; 12. 16, 21, 41).
Upon his arrival in New Amsterdam, Johannes de Peyster, in spite of his co
mparative youth, seems to have been regarded as one of the leading inhabit
ants, and was listed Aug. 2, 1653, among "the principal citizens and inhab
itants" called to meet with the defense of the city (RNA:1:92); and descri
bed as "Sieur Johannes de Peyster" Sept. 14, 1654 (RNA:1:242).
Aug. 2, 1653, he was among "the principal citizens and inhabitants" call
ed to meet with the burgomasters and schepens on the question of raising f
unds for the defense of the city (RNA: 1:92). May 4, 1654, he was appoint
ed one of the arbitrators of a case and referred to as "Sieur Johann
es de Peyster" (RNA:1:242). Oct. 11, 1655, he subscribed to the defen
se of the city (RNA:1:367): July 3, 1663, he was one of a small numb
er to be invited to meet with the schout, burgomasters, and schepens "
in a manner of Common Council (Vroetschap)" to deliberate the questi
on of troops for defense (RNA:4:273). April 2, 1670. he was an Overseer ap
pointed for the Laying out and Paveing of the Streets" (RNA:6:228). On Oc
t. 15, 1677, he was appoiinted mayor of the City of New York, but declin
ed serving because of his imperfect acquaintance with the Englilsh langua
ge (Kelby:NYHS).
Source: Book, "John Watts De Peyster", pg. 17.
Johannes de Peyster was a wealthy importing merchant, one of the eminent m
en of New Netherland. He was Schepen of New Amsterdam under Governor Petr
us Stuyvesant; was Alderman of New York during the first English administr
ation, under Nicholls; was Burgomaster of New Orange in 1673, when for a s
hort time the city was again under Holland. Deputy Mayor under the Engli
sh and declined to accept his appointment as Mayor, 15 October, 1677, beca
use of his imperfect mastery of the English language.