Background
John Watts De Peyster was born on March 9, 1821 in New York City, New York, United States, at the home of his maternal grandfather, John Watts. The son of Frederic de Peyster and Mary Justina Watts. The De Peysters were of “stout Holland ancestry, ” descendants of Huguenot refugees, Johannes de Peyster being the first of the family in America.
John’s paternal grandmother was English, a daughter of Gen. Hake of the British army, while his own mother was of Scotch descent. Philanthropic interests, participation in the civic events of their times, and especially a marked devotion to military pursuits were characteristic of many branches of his family, and he rather faithfully reflected this background, adding to it extended activities as a scholar and writer. Inher-ited fortunes gave him the leisure and means for the pursuit of his various interests. His mother died soon after his birth and he was reared in the home of his grandfather Watts, of whom he speaks in terms of affection and esteem.