Abraham de Peyster (August 26, 1696 – September 17, 1767), was a Dutch-American who served as the treasurer of the
Province of New York.
Early life
De Peyster was born on August 26, 1696, in New York City. He was the eldest son of
Abraham de Peyster (1657–1728) and Catharina de Peyster (1665–
c. 1734), who were second cousins. Among his siblings were Catherine de Peyster (who married Philip Van Cortlandt, son of
Stephanus Van Cortlandt),[1] Elizabeth de Peyster (who married
John Hamilton, the
Governor of New Jersey),[1] and Pierre Guillaume de Peyster (who married
Cornelia Schuyler).[2] His father served as the 20th
mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694.
His maternal grandparents were Pierre de Peyster and Gertrude (née van Dyke) de Peyster.[3] His paternal grandparents were
Johannes de Peyster Sr. and Cornelia (née Lubberts) de Peyster. His uncle was
Johannes de Peyster and his aunt was Maria de Peyster (the wife of
David Provost).[4]
Career
De Peyster was a prominent New York City merchant and succeeded his father in the office of provincial
treasurer of New York.[5]
Personal life
On July 1, 1722, de Peyster married Margaret Van Cortlandt at the New York Dutch Church. Margaret was a daughter of
Jacobus Van Cortlandt.[6] Together, they were the parents of:[7]
Mary de Peyster (b. 1735), who married Dr. John Charlton.[7]
Elizabeth de Peyster (1737–1775), who married Matthew Clarkson, son of
Assemblyman David Clarkson and uncle to
Matthew Clarkson.[7]
De Peyster died on September 17, 1767, in New York City.[7]
Descendants
Through his son James, he was a grandfather to
Abraham de Peyster, who briefly led the Loyalists in the
Battle of Kings Mountain. Evacuating to British North America after the American Revolution, the younger Abraham became the
Treasurer of the new royal colony of New Brunswick.
Capt. Abraham de Peyster (1753–1798), married Catherine Livingston, granddaughter of
Philip Livingston
Frederick de Peyster (1758–1834)
James Ferguson de Peyster (1794–1874), married (1) Susan Maria Clarkson (1800–1823), daughter of
Matthew Clarkson; married (2) Frances Goodhue Ashton (1805–1871)