Abraham De Peyster was born on July 8, 1657 in New York City, New York, United States. He was the son of Johannes and Cornelia (Lubberts) de Peyster. The father was a native of Haarlem and descended from a line of ancestors conspicuous “in gold-smithing industry and in other handicraft arts, ” of considerable wealth, and for the most part converts to the Protestant faith; he emigrated to New Amsterdam prior to 1649 and was one of the dozen or so most substantial citizens.
Abraham enlarged the possessions inherited from his father, became an enterprising merchant, “importing in his own ships, ” built warehouses near the dock which are mentioned several times in the city records, and acquired a tract of land north of the Wall (the present Wall Street) which was known as the “Great Garden of Col. de Peyster. ” He built a house near the East River shore in 1695, for years one of the finest residences in the city.
The young city struggling under its financial burdens often looked to him for loans; an entry in the Council Minutes, April 22, 1702, states that “Abraham de Peyster offers to assist the government in financial difficulties” reveal the extent to which the Governor relied on De Peyster in connection with supplies of ship timber and wine, and in money matters generally.
It is apparent that the latter combined with his affluence and business capacity popularity and good sense, for he was called by his fellow citizens or the provincial authorities to fill almost every public office in municipality or province: alderman (1685), captain of a train band, mayor for four successive terms (1691-94), colonel of the local militia, and as such, in 1701, acting-governor for a short period, deputy auditor-general (1701) and receiver general of the port (1708), justice of the supreme court (1698-1702; he succeeded to the position of chief-justice on January 21, 1701, holding the office until August 4 of that year), and finally, treasurer of the province (1706 - 21).
He was identified with the Leisler faction although he was one of those who signed a petition of protest (May 19, 1690) to William and Mary against being ruled “by the sword at the sole Will of an Insolent Alien”.
During the years of war which followed between English and French colonists De Peyster (now with the rank of colonel) was active on committees for building or repairing fortifications, and on one occasion, at least, when government funds were lacking he shared with another the entire expense of subsisting “the soldiers in his Majesty’s Pay”.
In 1684 De Peyster married Catharine de Peyster, a kinswoman, by whom he had eight sons and five daughters. His son Abraham succeeded him as treasurer of the province in 1721.
